Approaching Delicate Subjects
Have you ever felt taken advantage of?
Twice in one day people have shared that they felt taken advantage of when it came to friends expecting far more service than was fair. Unfortunately, the business owners did not have the nerve to speak up to state their worth or negotiate a better deal. The worst outcome will be the letting go of once good friends.
3 Actions to Take:
1. Should you already be experiencing a similar situation, call a meeting with your client. Have a heart to heart conversation letting them know you value their friendship and wish to find an agreeable solution to a problem as you see it. Relay you mistakenly agreed to providing services for which they did not pay, but that you can no longer continue the same. Restate your programs and rates, and ask if they wish to continue or if they prefer to find another service provider. You may need to walk away.
2. When a new prospect or friend asks you to do something which is seemingly unfair, state matter of factly, with a smile on your face and in your voice that you cannot do that, but then offer options of what you can do. Then ask, “How would you like to proceed?” This is a sales technique asking for a “buy-in” or agreement allowing them to choose their favorite route and confirm they will still buy.
3. On job interviews, the candidate may be asked if they are willing to perform tasks not part of the job description or out of the ordinary. As above, tell the Hiring Manager what you are willing and not willing to do.
Laying out the rules and requirements on your end will provide an open and honest dialogue. It is also part of the qualification process. Should the others still expect free services or something with which you are not comfortable delivering, you know to walk away. Life is too short to endure the aggravation. It also allows room for the more reasonable clients and job opportunities.
When you adhere to an honest and open dialogue, you find the experience becomes a Smooth Sale!
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Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results
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