Inspire your business neighborhood for remarkable results
This blog continues with the theme that our personal lives reflect our professional lives. In career and business we have our “neighborhoods” or networks, peers and associates. Salespeople have assigned accounts or territories to nurture their business neighborhood.
What may we learn from personal neighborhoods and apply to business and career?
It was a striking coincidence in our personal neighborhoods, one of 25 years, and another of 6 years, that two highly introverted individuals made similar remarks upon our impending departure. “Jane”, who customarily avoided speaking to me, ran over as the moving truck door slammed shut to say, “I am so sad to see you go. You are our all time favorite neighbor.”
Jane’s statement had me curious, for years, wondering how it could possibly be true. But then, “Carl”, known as “one who hibernates” in our current neighborhood, approached us yesterday. His statements were almost startling. He spent five minutes telling us about the unusual kindness we had shown to he and his wife, and then wished good fortune in life’s journey.
Although different times and different sexes, the commonality was the apparent shyness of these two people. Most viewed them as “stand-offish” or “snobby”. My approach is to do my best to treat everyone equally. You never truly know how you affect some people, but in these two cases, the reward was huge in the end
Sales Calls
How many times have you called an individual but they did not pick up, return a call or sound friendly on the other end? This is more the norm as time marches forward. These types of individuals are either over-worked or do not have the same extroverted skills that you might possess. If you truly wish to have a meting with that person, go out of your way to show extra kindness.
Secret Sales Technique:
Be creative and watch your budget. I’ve been known to ask what type of coffee the person prefers and ask, if it would be alright if I were to bring some coffee to their office while we had a chat. I’ve set up a picnic in a demo room; I’ve offered lunch at the desk to save time and money, and I was taught early on – always give away free miniature candy bars to everyone you encounter during the holiday season.
The highly unusual offer of food and casual conversation soon turns to serious interest and converts to sales. Why? You stand out from the crowd establishing your personal brand, likeability and trust – the key ingredients for making sales.
For additional ideas on creative giving, watch this video:
When you give kindness first, you most often find personal reward as well as the Smooth Sale!
Read Addtional Strategies and Techniques:
Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results, Sourcebooks
HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews, Career Press
