The Weirdest Sales Call Ever
Rick Girard
AI Startup Founder | Creator, HireOS?- Hiring Operating System | Host, Hire Power Radio | Author, "Healing Career Wounds" | BJJ Black Belt | Head Hunter | Keynote Speaker
Yesterday, I found myself caught in a sales call that took a bizarre turn right from the start. It was an email outreach that had initially impressed me, but the subsequent conversation left me scratching my head. As I reflected on the experience, I realized there was a valuable lesson to be learned from this comedy of errors. So grab your popcorn and get ready for a funny and enlightening ride through the weirdest sales call ever!
Scene 1: A Clueless Beginning
The call began without any formal introduction or a clear plan of attack. The person on the other end simply asked, "So how can I help you today?" It felt like being thrown into a sales pit with no safety net. I mean, seriously, buddy, at least pretend like you prepared for the call!
Scene 2: The Trial Close Extravaganza
As the conversation progressed, it became clear that this person's primary objective was to close the deal, and they were relentless about it. Every turn in the conversation seemed like an opportunity for a trial close. It felt like being stuck in a game of "Sales Whack-a-Mole." Bang! There goes another close attempt! It was both frustrating and comical.
Scene 3: The Common Blow Off
After enduring ten minutes of relentless trial closes, I couldn't take it anymore. I resorted to the classic blow-off: "Why don't you send me an email with your proposal?" and abruptly ended the call. Phew, that was 15 minutes I would never see again! Literally.
Moral of the Story: Preparedness is Key
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As I reflected on this bizarre sales call, I couldn't help but examine my own sales process. The lesson I learned was crystal clear: preparation is vital. If the salesperson had taken the time to understand my problems and made an effort to demonstrate how their product or service could solve them, I might have become their client. Instead, I was left feeling confused, frustrated, and utterly convinced that it was a colossal waste of my time.
Scene 4: The Self-Reflection
In a moment of introspection, I realized that I do have a plan and a roadmap for my own sales conversations. But I needed to ask myself: do I genuinely care enough to dig deeper and provide value to my potential clients? The answer is yes I do, and it's something I prepare for every day. Especially with every cold outreach
Scene 5: The Confidence Journey
Ultimately, what the salesperson failed to do was instill confidence in me. They didn't take me on a journey that made me feel comfortable and convinced that they were the answer to my problems. All they needed was a little preparation, a roadmap, and a script that allowed them to understand my challenges. Then, they could have demonstrated how they were the superhero to save the day.
Conclusion:
So there you have it—the weirdest sales call ever, full of comedic moments and a valuable lesson in preparedness. Remember, if you're ever in a sales situation, take the time to understand your potential client, demonstrate value, and embark on a journey that instills confidence. It might just be the key to turning a confusing, frustrating experience into a successful sale. And hey, if all else fails, at least you'll have a good story to share with friends over a drink or two!
Founder | Enabling Leaders & Teams to Balance High-Performance & Well-Being | Global Executive Coach (ICF PCC, ELI-MP), Leadership Trainer & Speaker | EO Board Member
1 年Sales call to open or close? Clearly hearing the person on the other line is a great starting point, not to mention the preparation. Caryn Kopp, Chief Door Opener? is a master in opening doors. What would she say on this?
Keynote speaker who leaves audiences enlightened with new ideas, empowered to apply what they’ve learned, and entertained with stories and humor—a wise squirrel hyperfocused on your success and proud #ADHD advocate.
1 年I once convinced a cold-calling salesperson to quit his job. I had fallen for a similar scam in my youth doing telesales. I knew the poor guy was in over his head. We spoke for 40 minutes. I gave him career advice, and he was very thankful and swore he would quit after we hung up.
?? Do you know your customers? Helping business engaging better with their customers. I strongly believe that companies make a significant and lasting impact in the world. emBlue Customer Engagement Platform
1 年Great reflection and story, Rick Girard. It reminded me of a cold call training session we conducted with real calls for my team. During one of those cold calls, an SDR underperformed. He didn't freeze but could only manage to say, “I can't explain it, but we can set up a meeting and my partner, who has more expertise, can explain it to you better." Obviously, we didn't secure the deal.
Co-Founder and Director of Opportunities at Guiding Bright Minds
1 年Oh, I remember the days of selling and the pain I had to go through to get to the sale. All it needs to be is a simple conversation but I think too many times people are only focused on the sale and not the needs of the customer. It is about relationships not selling.
Innovative, Compassionate, and Inspiring College Consultant ★ Creating Robust and Holistic Educational Pathways for Students
1 年This has me reflecting on my own sales pitch. I am so confident in my "product" but recently have been adjusting my delivery. I am working on tailoring it to each individual and their needs vs. a routine elevator speech. Thank you for sharing!