You Need to Be Proactive to Sell
We are looking for a new truck. We’re probably one of the few couples around buying three top-end vehicles within six months, when it just so happens all our leases come up. (I’m going to name-drop to make my point. If that bothers you, don’t read on.)
We looked at an Escalade today. When the salesman who was next “up” saw the Bentley pull into the lot, he just about met us before I closed my door. He was personable and polite. He pulled up a truck, which took a long time, and it needed gas, so we had to stop. The rear seats weren’t fitted properly. The brakes smelled (he said from “newness”). He had no information yet on the 2010 models. Why isn’t this dealership prepared to show its best side? Why aren’t they acting as if they expect customers?
Earlier we looked at the top Audi model, which we like. We’re waiting for 2010 information on that. The salesman doesn’t have it. When we returned for a test drive, he had forgotten which truck we were interested in. He doesn’t follow up with us. Why doesn’t he realize that you need to be more than simply polite?
I’m writing this from the Hyatt Regency Goat Island in Newport, RI. I’ve returned here with my business (I’m running Six Figures to Seven tomorrow, and the Workshop Workshop in June) after a hiatus because I was unhappy with deteriorating service. The entire hotel staff had been told about my return and the care has been incredible. I was greeted by name at the door by the front desk manager, who had cones prepared to save a place for my car in front. Everyone has inquired about what they can do for me. They’ve put me in the presidential suite, and even the spa manager told me, “We are all so glad you’ve returned, we had a management meeting, and everyone was put on notice.” The Hyatt had reached out to me to return, and given me a special tour months ago to convince me.
There aren’t many people running the meetings I’m running these days, and there aren’t too many people buying the top-end vehicles, either. You have to do more than take orders, or respond to questions, or be polite. You have to be proactively assertive and accommodating.
We all have control of that. And we all need good business. What are you doing to proactively reach out to those who can pay for your value?
© Alan Weiss 2009. All rights reserved.
Cheri
Well said. Thank you Allen, I always come away from your blog inspired to do better and reach higher. It’s a gift.
Cheri Baker
Emergence Consulting
Seattle, WA
Alan Weiss
Thanks, Cheri. Note: “Alan”
Ash Waechter
Alan, it is amazing how many people you have to tell to spell your name correctly. I’ve only read a few posts in the past day and have already come upon three separate occasions in which someone egregiously misspelled your name. What a bummer. And I thought my name was complicated.
Maybe it was a hired hand. You can get them for about $2 a post or something like that.
BTW: I really liked From Panic to Profit. Well worth it. When I see how my last three proposals go (based on the info), I will be sure forward over my thoughts.
Great post. What’s wrong with name dropping?
Cheri
I apologize for the typo. Admiration comes across a bit thin when you can’t get a name right. 🙂 My goof!
Alan Weiss
We were poor and couldn’t afford two Ls. I can understand the confusion, since “Alan” is spelled in several ways, but I always like to specify how my name is spelled, since it’s a rather personal identifier!
Alan Weiss
By the way, no apologies needed, admiration is sufficient!!
Rob Wallis
“The entire hotel staff had been told about my return and the care has been incredible.”
This reminds me of a restaurant I used to work for, where we had to do an annual bleaching of the walls before the owners came for their inspection. I understand their need to treat you like royalty due to the amount of business you give them, but where is the consistency?
Ash Waechter
My apologies, too, to Cheri. I had read one too many negative comments about Alan’s posts about Twitter and they showed a lot of disrespect. It had been a long day and anyway…Who cares how you spell name? Right? As long the though is there.
Alan Weiss
I just want to be treated well. I’m a man of simple tastes!
Cheri
Ash – No worries. 🙂 I’ve been stubbornly ignoring Twitter so far. Between my blog, Facebook, and Linked In, I feel like I have enough electronic connectedness in my life!
Enjoy the weekend.
Alan Weiss
Rob, you’re looking at a half-full glass. They’re good to me, so now I should be unhappy because they may not be consistent? I reward good behavior, I don’t knock people because they may not be good enough. And who ways they’re inconsistent now?