Going for “No”

Our guest speaker David (I do not recall his last name) came into class friday and shared a new perspective on the going for the no subject. He pointed out that it can be good to even suggest a no. But his point was simple: by giving people permission to say no, you create a more honest and efficient conversation.

He explained that most people hesitate to give a hard no because they don’t want to be rude. So instead, they’ll stall, say “let me think about it,” or avoid responding altogether. That wastes time for everyone. Instead, by opening the door for a no early in the conversation, the pressure drops. People feel like they can be honest about where they’re at.

He even said it’s helpful to suggest the no yourself. For example, “This might not be the right fit for you, and that’s totally okay.” Doing that can lead to a more productive conversation. If the answer really is no, you can move on. But if they’re still interested, they’ll speak up. It shifts the tone from a pushy pitch to a mutual decision-making process.

One of the most practical takeaways was that a fast no is better than a slow maybe. Time is valuable in sales, and the longer you chase people who aren’t interested, the less time you have for those who actually are.

Also a interesting point he made was the point about being passionate and confident in the product you are selling. He sells outdoor furniture that is of very high quality and he is very confident in his product. He also is very confident in his business scheme, not hiring more sales people around the country. It seemed to be that he is seeing the trend of online presence rising and is smart for getting with the times.