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Mastering the Art of Pitching: Strategies for Introducing Innovative Ideas to Your Team

A new year is a great time to implement innovative ideas at your company. However, you need to get buy-in from your team first.

If some of your employees tend to be resistant to change, you’ll want to craft your pitch in a manner that speaks to them. Here’s a few ideas to get you started.

Present Data-Backed Evidence

Numbers don’t lie. Therefore, it’s hard for employees to argue against data that works in favor of your new ideas.

For example, if you want them to try out a new process, find a few statistics that support this shift. This might involve a faster product completion time, lower overhead costs or higher customer satisfaction ratings.

Create a Sense of Urgency

If your team isn’t historically excited about change, they probably won’t be inclined to accept new ideas anytime soon. Therefore, you need to explain why it’s important to make these changes as soon as possible. When they realize time is of the essence, they’ll be more likely to get onboard and help you move forward.

Highlight the Benefits

You consider change a positive thing, but everyone doesn’t think this way. Sell your team on these new strategies by explaining the good they’ll bring. If people are able to see the change as something positive, instead of a disruption to their workday, they’ll be more likely to embrace it.

Explain the Impact

Innovative ideas can be a game-changer for your company. However, it can be hard for change-resistant employees to see the big picture. Help them realize the role they can play in taking your company to the next level by detailing the positive impact these changes can have on the organization as a whole.

Make Everyone Feel Heard

No one likes to be told change is happening whether they like it or not — even if that’s essentially true. Make employees feel like part of the change by answering all their questions and listening to their feedback. As people who also really know your company, they might have thoughts, opinions and ideas you hadn’t considered. Even if you don’t implement their ideas, feeling heard will make them more likely to accept these new strategies.