I’m a creature of habit. If I had to give a speech, odds are that I typed and retyped and retyped it before finally settling on a draft that I would recite over and over before I had to give it. Improvisation is not my favorite thing, despite competing in debate. However, when it comes to sales we have passed the point of the rehearsed sales pitch. I have been receiving many cold calls recently that frankly, I can’t tell if the person on the other line is a robot or a person. They are so rehearsed and stiff that I hang up almost immediately after hearing the initial “Are you a homeowner in Massachusetts? If so-” There is nothing that makes me want to stay on a call like that.
In the 21st century, consumers want to feel something emotional, see something surprising, or be listened to. This is why spontaneity and listening skills are the new tools that salespeople need to have. Be able to ask good questions that make the customer talk more, and you speak less. Practice improvisation, even if it’s as silly as the skits on Whose Line Is It Anyway? because it will teach you how to think on your feet when faced with something you weren’t anticipating. Connecting to your prospect is invaluable, because you will build trust that a classic pitch could never do. As it always is in sales, it’s all about the relationship with the customer.
Ethan David 
Caroline Marie Dawson
Improvisation is a hard thing to learn, especially rehearsed and prepared speeches are your MO (that’s me as well!) I think it is an important skill to learn, like you mentioned, to be able to be relatable to the customer and make them feel as though you care and are confident to answer anything they throw at you. Great post.