How to Use the Elevator to Land Your Big Break

“Imagine you walk into an elevator with the CEO of an incredible gaming company, and you have only under a minute to pitch a proposal for your idea. What would you say?” asked Wan Hazmer Wan Abd Halim, the CEO, Founder and Game Director at Metronomik. His question set off a flurry of reactions from the students, and it was apparent that many of them had given this scenario little thought before this.

As part of ensuring students have a wholesome education at The One Academy, Hazmer was invited to conduct a workshop with a group of students to help them harness skills that would be useful in the working world. His workshop titled ‘How to Make an Elevator Pitch?’ gave students the chance to grasp basics of presentation skills as well as some insider insight on the gaming world and work culture.

The session kicked off with the students being divided into groups and being given 15 minutes to come up with a video game concept fulfilling a set of guides. The challenge was then to pitch the idea to Hazmer in under 30 seconds and gain his approval. Once the first 15 minutes were up, a representative then proposed their idea and got feedback. The workshop was aimed mainly at Digital Media students as they are the ones who dabble in creating content for various digital uses such as video games, graphic design and more. Therefore, having the opportunity to meet and speak to an established industry expert in the field was truly great.

Although the workshop was delivered to a wide range of students from different courses, the context of the activity used was in producing a video game for the masses. Hazmer highlighted the importance of incorporating user experience when coming up with a concept for video games. “Last time you can ignore user experience, but because now there are other games, how is your game going to compete with other games based on budget and your expertise? Now is the time to care about user experience” he said. However, user experience is not something that is taught, it is something that needs to be experienced. One will know that they nailed user experience when the audience does not know what medium your content will be on. They will be focused on the experience only.

Hazmer then imparted some information to the students on how to nail the perfect elevator pitch. “Harness the power of ‘why’”, he stated. Give the one listening the answer to why they should play your game or watch your movie or read your book. The answer to why is usually tied in together with fulfilling the user experience.

Besides that, he also said to utilize the team’s strengths. When preparing for a pitch, it is vital to identify and use each of the team member’s strengths as different individuals would have something diverse to bring to the table. Therefore, it is important to use the resources available in terms of the team’s individuality to come up with a winning pitch. Hazmer relayed that one of his favourite phrases picked up during his time in Japan is ‘Tekizai-Tekisho’ which means bringing the right people to the right place. “Putting the right people in the right places to let them grow and thrive is the key to success”, he said. Prior to starting the workshop, the participants were first sorted into groups in a random manner and many of them did not know one another. Therefore, this activity also helped the students to refine their people skills and identify each member’s strengths. Besides that, it also helped the students to network amongst each other.

Thirdly, Hazmer explained that any good idea which you want to pitch should be made into a two-page spread. The two-page spread should include the title of your concept, the sub headings describing it and visuals to accompany. The process of putting this together should take no more than ten minutes. “A well thought out concept only takes this much time to piece together into a spread”, he said. His other two tips include being naturally excited and narrate culture with relevance.

One of the first things noticed during a pitch is demeanor and body language. If you present your idea with an unenthusiastic and shy body language, it can come off as being unprepared or even not trusting your idea. Therefore, aim to present with a naturally excited demeanor. “It is your idea, and your moment to go out and own it”, motivated Wan Hazmer.

Another point highlighted by Hazmer was the prominence of the culture in Malaysia. “We can’t beat the Japanese and Westerners in terms of work culture and technology, however we have culture”, he said. Use the culture widely available and narrate it with relevance, you will be sure to succeed. Most importantly, avoid making the two main mistakes which is being not proud of your own culture and secondly, being too proud of your own culture. Find the balance and own it.

The fruitful session wrapped up with Wan Hazmer speaking a little about his game development company Metronomik and encouraging students to not give up pursuing their dream in the journey of gaining knowledge. The students were also given the opportunity to ask questions and clarify any doubts they had about the digital media and game development industry. Many of them left the event feeling more informed and confident about their presentation and idea pitching skills than when they walked in.

The One Academy is committed to providing the best art education programmes and continues to nurture its students passionately through its ‘Masters Train Masters’ coaching philosophy, which has been practised for the past 27 years, by providing diploma and degree courses namely Advertising & Graphic Design, Digital Animation, Digital Media Design, Film Visual Effects, Interior Architecture & Design, Illustration, Fine Arts and Paris Fashion Design & Pattern Making. For more information on The One Academy, visit www.toa.edu.my or call +603-5637 5510 or e-mail your enquiries to [email protected].