Every brand manager knows the importance of a good elevator pitch, but how about actually practising it in an elevator? Here’s a little confession: I fine-tune my pitches with an audience that’s going up and down all day—the cleaning staff.

Far from the boardrooms and away from the eyes of executives, it’s in the elevator where my pitches rise to the occasion or plummet to the ground floor. The cleaning staff, with their no-nonsense feedback, has become my most valued critic. It’s the perfect test: a short ride to convince, to impress, or to rethink the drawing board.

So, next time you step into an elevator, think of it as more than just a box of transit—it’s where ideas get off the ground.

What about you? Have you ever found an unexpected place to test your ideas? Share your stories of unconventional practice spots in the comments, or for a private session, send an email to [email protected]. Let’s elevate the conversation about pitching and catching ideas in the most unexpected places.