What To Do Whenever You Find That You Are Trying To Sell To One Another
Have you ever been in a situation whereby the person you are chatting to is trying to interest you in product or service which you have no need for and it becomes clear that they have little interest in what you have to offer?
A short true story;
I once got to know a wonderful lady totally by chance during a visit to a college which both our daughters attended. We soon found out that we had much in common and as she was leaving a career to start-up a new business I was intrigued to learn if I could help.
I wanted to hear her story in more detail and we fixed up a time to meet at a local hotel for an informal chat. I had made it clear specifically what I wanted to discuss and I thought that we had a tight agenda.
She mentioned that she would be bringing a colleague and being the sociable soul I am I agreed.
When we got together it soon became clear that the meeting and introduction to a colleague was a polite ambush to introduce me to a multi-level-marketing organisation.
Although I politely suggested that I had no interest it started to become an interrogation and a hard sell. I became more assertive and invited my new found friend to back off.
We parted a little frostily and after a week we reconnected and put the unfortunate incident behind us.
This sparked an interest in the subject to find out how often this happened and how people handle it. Unsurprisingly we found that this happens a great deal.
Here are a few strategies to help you.
Ask yourself how you got into that situation where you are spending your valuable time connecting with people who are not likely to be in the market for what you offer.
It's potentially a waste of your valuable time.
Go back to the design of your perfect network and make sure that you are spending time networking to rub shoulders with the right people.
Be precise and up front about the purpose of initial and certainly follow-up meetings. Ensure that the agenda is clear and that you can predict what the outcomes are likely to be.
Be assertive and notice quickly whether a conversation is going to deliver what you are looking for. If it isn't politely move on.
Be open minded to possibilities with anyone and everyone. The best networkers are always looking to see how they can maximise value for everyone they meet.
Here are 7 possible outcomes that could turn any encounter into a valuable use of everyone's time;
1.You introduce the other person to someone you know who can help them
2.You introduce the other person to someone who is in the market for what they offer
3.They introduce you to someone they believe you have something in common with e.g. another expert in your field
4.They introduce you to a prospect
5.You explore ways in which you can work together in some form of Joint Venture
6.You arrange to have an 'introducers' arrangement possibly with a commission for introductions which result in sales
7.You arrange to 'keep in touch' and are entered on each other's CRM system
Of course you may find that you have much in common and form a friendship which has nothing to do with business at all!
It all comes down to how you have planned your network, something I teach you how to do in "How To Build A Profitable Business Network"
A short true story;
I once got to know a wonderful lady totally by chance during a visit to a college which both our daughters attended. We soon found out that we had much in common and as she was leaving a career to start-up a new business I was intrigued to learn if I could help.
I wanted to hear her story in more detail and we fixed up a time to meet at a local hotel for an informal chat. I had made it clear specifically what I wanted to discuss and I thought that we had a tight agenda.
She mentioned that she would be bringing a colleague and being the sociable soul I am I agreed.
When we got together it soon became clear that the meeting and introduction to a colleague was a polite ambush to introduce me to a multi-level-marketing organisation.
Although I politely suggested that I had no interest it started to become an interrogation and a hard sell. I became more assertive and invited my new found friend to back off.
We parted a little frostily and after a week we reconnected and put the unfortunate incident behind us.
This sparked an interest in the subject to find out how often this happened and how people handle it. Unsurprisingly we found that this happens a great deal.
Here are a few strategies to help you.
Ask yourself how you got into that situation where you are spending your valuable time connecting with people who are not likely to be in the market for what you offer.
It's potentially a waste of your valuable time.
Go back to the design of your perfect network and make sure that you are spending time networking to rub shoulders with the right people.
Be precise and up front about the purpose of initial and certainly follow-up meetings. Ensure that the agenda is clear and that you can predict what the outcomes are likely to be.
Be assertive and notice quickly whether a conversation is going to deliver what you are looking for. If it isn't politely move on.
Be open minded to possibilities with anyone and everyone. The best networkers are always looking to see how they can maximise value for everyone they meet.
Here are 7 possible outcomes that could turn any encounter into a valuable use of everyone's time;
1.You introduce the other person to someone you know who can help them
2.You introduce the other person to someone who is in the market for what they offer
3.They introduce you to someone they believe you have something in common with e.g. another expert in your field
4.They introduce you to a prospect
5.You explore ways in which you can work together in some form of Joint Venture
6.You arrange to have an 'introducers' arrangement possibly with a commission for introductions which result in sales
7.You arrange to 'keep in touch' and are entered on each other's CRM system
Of course you may find that you have much in common and form a friendship which has nothing to do with business at all!
It all comes down to how you have planned your network, something I teach you how to do in "How To Build A Profitable Business Network"
