Joe da Silva | Speaker | Trainer | Coach
~ If you are no better tomorrow than you were yesterday, then you've wasted today.
One of the major complaints that I get from clients is: “There is just not enough time in a day to do everything that I have to do.” Which causes me to ask: “Why?” “I’m too busy to get what needs to be done.” Is the usual reply. For those that have followed my blog, you will in all likelihood know my answer: “You do realize that ‘busy’ is just another word for unproductive.”
Recently someone said to me: “Your tips and lessons on your blogs, podcasts and videos seem so simple and are just common sense.” Well, I thanked them for the compliment of course and asked: “Why do I feel there is a but coming?” There was. They replied: “I am trying to put them into action, but I am not getting the results that you talk and write about.” My reply, as I have had this question, in one form or another asked, was: “It doesn’t surprise me at all.” All I got was a confused, befuddled and questioning stare.
Last week I was fishing off Port Renfrew located on the West Coast of Vancouver Island North of Victoria. It occurred to me while out on the boat, very early in the morning, the metaphor that is used many times in business; ‘fishing for clients.’ This analogy may bring some clarity about why you may not be ‘hocking’ the clients that you may be going after.
There is no doubt that there has been a steady increase in the individuals involved in making any kind of decision in most businesses. There are now more committees or boards that have to be somehow integrated into the decision making process. According to CEB, a global best practice insights company, there is on average 5 people that have to formally sign off on purchases. With this in mind and with the fact that you are paid on the ability to get the prospect to make a decision, purchase or not, does it not make sense to have a clear understanding on how that decision would be made?
During a recent session of The Action Suite, we were discussing how to make the ‘First Contact’ easier and with greater success than that of the past. ‘First Contact’, also know best as, ‘Cold Calls’ have a couple of brothers that like to hang around. The first is ‘rejection’. The ugly brother that comes along for the ride is, ‘failure.’
“I got a referral!” Not so fast! Before you celebrate, do you know what to do with that referral? You’re probably sitting there thinking: “Sure, I’m going to call them up and make an appointment and get a new client.” Again, I say: “Not so fast. Are you sure that is the best way to proceed?” I bring you back to why people in The Action Suite have success. As a reminder, it is because they are D.U.M.B.; Different, Unique, Memorable and Believable.
