Workshop 1 – Design your own “Elevator Pitch” – Speed dating for hospital pharmacists

Linked to EAHP Statements
Section 1 – Introductory Statements and Governance: Statement 1.5
Section 4 – Clinical Pharmacy Services: Statement 4.1
Section 5 – Patient Safety and Quality Assurance: Statement 5.2 

ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-21-011-L04-P. An application-based activity. 

Abstract
Have you ever tried speed dating? Those of you who have, know the rules, and what really matters. The all-dominant objective is to convince, impress and get your message across in a very short period of time. Your vis-à-vis has to be amazed! And first impressions matter. Breaking it down to the hospital pharmacy setting: If you want to start a project, ask for additional funding or need the support of your management, the same criteria apply and are key to you being successful when selling your ideas. Provocatively speaking, pharmacists could improve in selling themselves and convincing others. In order to have greater impact and success, you have to be prepared, have a clear message and a clear communication strategy. Design your own elevator pitch and get your message across and sell your idea in a short time. Come and prove the opposite of pharmacists being modest and prepare to have an impact!

Learning objectives
After the workshop, participants should be able to:
• list essential elements of an elevator pitch;
• apply these criteria when designing an elevator pitch in the hospital pharmacy setting.

Educational need addressed
Hospital pharmacists could improve their skills in selling their own ideas to decision-makers e.g. when it comes to new service implementation. Learning to be persuasive within a few seconds is key to success.

Keywords: self-marketing, communication skills, personal development, persuasiveness, professional well-being, management, communication.