Someone recently asked the following question of a group I participate in on LinkedIn:

How about the elevator speech - Can you describe what you do in 7 words or less?

Here's my response:

It's time to move beyond elevator speeches.

If you're truly passionate about what it is you do you shouldn't need a contrived, over-generalized and scripted response to the question "what do you do?" The next time someone asks you that question try speaking honestly and from the heart; engage the questioner in an actual conversation instead of making him or her the target of a canned spiel.

You may be surprised by the result.

I'll be the first to admit that there was a time that I was a huge proponent of elevator speeches. Time and experience have changed my opinion, and I'm happy to note that I'm getting better responses now than I ever received with even my best elevator speech. Try it for yourself and see if your passion doesn't make a better impression than a bit of script.