Phone script / elevator pitch
Introduction
This resource is for employer engagement staff. It should be used to contact local employers speculatively, when there are not enough industry placement commitments secured for a particular cohort of learners.
Getting employers to commit to offering industry placements can take six months or more of relationship building. Therefore, this phone script should be used to contact employers as early as possible in the planning stages of industry placements.
The tool will help you to make that initial contact, explain industry placements and start to build a relationship with local businesses. You may work with the employer to visit the college, set projects and offer smaller commitments to supporting learners before they are comfortable offering 45-day industry placements.
Guidance
Cold calling can be a challenging but effective way to generate leads and connect with potential employers. Here are some important things to consider when you use this resource:
Research your prospect:
Before making the call, gather information about the company you are contacting. Know their industry, probable challenges, and any recent news or events related to them. This demonstrates that you've done your homework and adds a personal touch to the conversation.
Have a clear objective:
Know what you want to achieve with the call. Ultimately, you are trying to send further information to the right person in the company that you can pick up with at a later date. However, if you can speak to them then and there, you are already starting to build that relationship.
The script is a starter for 10. It can (and should) be flexed over time. In some circumstances it’s better to call employers to invite them to an event or talk more generally about working in partnership rather than specifically asking them to commit to offering 45-day placements, which can seem overwhelming for some businesses.
The phone script helps to guide your conversation, but be ready to adapt it based on the prospect's responses over a number of calls. You also want to sound natural and engaging rather than reading from a script verbatim.
It can help to start by calling employers that already know your organisation and are likely to be responsive to your call. This way you can practice and get used to some of the questions that come back to you.
Focus on the prospect's needs:
Tailor your message to highlight the benefits to the business (both short-term and long-term) and try not to use acronyms or education speak. Show them that you understand their challenges (in their language) and have something valuable to offer.
It also helps to highlight the social value of offering industry placements if business benefits are not obvious. We all needed an opportunity at the start of our careers, so encouraging employers to provide that support to young people is a good way to secure placements, especially in small businesses.
Use positive language:
Keep a positive and enthusiastic tone throughout the call. Confidence and positivity can be contagious, making the prospect more receptive to your message. It can sometimes help to ‘smile as you dial’.
Respect the prospect's time:
Acknowledge that the person you're calling is busy, and be concise in your communication. Clearly state the purpose of your call and ask if it's a convenient time for them to talk. If not, be respectful and offer to schedule a more suitable time.
Handle objections gracefully:
Anticipate possible objections and prepare responses. Be ready to address concerns and turn them into opportunities. Remember to stay calm and professional.
If you can’t overcome objections, that’s fine. You won’t persuade every employer to work with you. At least you have let someone know about industry placements, which could result in them telling other businesses or encouraging their children to look at T Levels as an option.
Follow up:
If the prospect expresses interest, follow up with additional information or to schedule a follow-up call. Persistence and consistent follow-up can be key in converting leads.
Track and analyse results:
Keep track of your calls, responses, and outcomes. Analyse the data to identify patterns, strengths, and areas for improvement – like which types of business seem interested. Overtime you can also mention other locally known organisations that are involved, to breed trust in offering industry placements. Continuous learning and adapting your script and approach are crucial in refining your cold calling activity.
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