When Coach Didonato came and spoke to us a few months ago there was one thing that stuck out to me the most. It was him admitting to telling some prospects that Grove City College is not a good fit for them. We all have a story of walking into a store and someone working there will not stop following you around or nagging. You say no nicely or give major hints and they still will not leave you alone. It makes everything uncomfortable and awkward.
The best salespeople are the ones that genuinely want the product/service to be a good fit and ask meaningful questions. Sometimes salespeople struggle with control issues and just desperately want the person to buy it and lose site of the prospect. Sales is a process of discovery leading to a mutually agreed upon set of truths.
If we do not enjoy being bothered by an annoying salesperson then we cannot be the annoying salesperson. Just as we discussed handling rejection and buoyancy. It is imperative to be able to know when to close the file and walk away.
People who have an enjoyable sales conversation but does not purchase the product/service is gain and not a loss. That person is more likely to tell their family or friends about you and the product/service and that can trickle down to new sales and customers.
Do not be afraid to close the file and walk away. The goal of any sales process is not to try to get the prospect to say yes. But to embark on a mutual discovery process to determine if your companies should work together or for the person to purchase the product/service.
BoweryJE22
Its a good point you make that if we don’t like the annoying salespeople, don’t be one. It can be a helpful way to look at our actions- how would I feel on the receiving end? It’s an insightful way to know when to move forward.
I think this is the principle that I’m most excited to apply to real life. It takes so much pressure off when you’re not trying to win every conversation and transaction.