Most people are busy. Demands from bosses, the public, family, friends. None of it is malicious, but it all takes up valuable time and what I call "brain power," the power to keep motivation high enough to be productive, rather than just sitting back on the couch or taking a nap or going out for a drink with the friends.
Then there's the salespeople. They come at you from all angles -- phoning just as you are sitting down to a meal, knocking on your door, stepping up to the counter -- wanting your attention when you need to stay focused on the project at hand.
What do a majority of people do? Nothing. That's right; they ignore the salesperson. Salespeople are just one step up from used car salesmen, which is just one step up from lawyers, right?
Here's the reality, not the stories masquerading as jokes.
Those salespeople phoning in, knocking on your door, stepping up to the counter may live in your area, this is their livelihood -- their bread and butter. This is how they make their living, the same way that you make yours, by working hard and keeping to the tasks at hand.
Most salespeople are proud of what they do, even passionate. Essentially, they help businesses market themselves, with direct advertising opportunities, services to improve business, products that may be best sellers. That is something to take pride in.
Just like you take pride in your work and your business,and are even passionate.
What would you do if someone ignored you on something you felt passionate about? Get frustrated, feel snubbed, get angry? Doesn't make for warm fuzzies, does it?
So, if you ignore the salesperson, you are ignoring a potential customer. Time for them to get frustrated, feel snubbed, get angry... well, you get the picture.
You are potentially making them frustrated enough to be vocal about it. We're not talking I'm-griping-to-my-wife frustrated; we've got larger ways of reaching out now. With the plethora of social networks, texting and mobile phones and apps, frustrated/angry and vocal are not what you want your business to be associated with.
Then there are the business owners who don't want to say "no" to the business person, but also don't want their product. So they give this "maybe" answer or an answer that doesn't commit to buying but tells the salesperson that there's a chance.
When a salesperson has to call or contact you numerous times, and you feel good because you managed to not say "no," when you have zero intention of saying "yes," all you've done is created the frustrated, snubbed, angry salesperson, who I remind you again, is a real person. With real spending power of their own, and family and friends who they can talk to about your business.
Here's some hints on how to deal with a salesperson when you feel your brainpower fast dwindling away.
1. The salesperson might want more of your time than you can give him. Let him know that you only have x number of minutes today. Have him give you his quick pitch on whatever it is. If the pitch is good enough and the product is good enough, you can ask him to come back at a specific time that is better for you, when you can spend more time going over the products.
2. Don't say "no" before you've even heard of what it is the salesperson is offering. Give him a minute to do his "elevator pitch," yes, that's the quick one, and listen. This might be the only chance you have to make a decision that could change the course of your business and raise profits.
Saying no before you listen, is like someone standing on the sidewalk outside your business and saying "no" about going in because the door doesn't look like the building will have what he wants inside. That doesn't make sense in any form.
3. If it's just not what you need, tell him. Tell him "no, I'm not interested" or "this isn't right for my business" or "not in the budget." Tell him the truth. If it's no, then it's no. A good salesperson will say thank you and go about their business. A good salesperson doesn't take it personally when something they are selling isn't a good fit for you.
The salesperson will also have respect for you in your ability to make a reasoned judgement and decision for your business. That's somewhere I'd like to shop.
4. If it's yes, that means it's a positive situation for both of your businesses,and hopefully, the bottom line. Go for it.
But no matter what, remember that no one likes to be snubbed, or turned away without a fair chance. Salespeople are people, too.
