Don't Give in to Call Reluctance
So, you're sitting outside of a prospect's office in your car (or staring at the phone number), knowing you should go in and try to make a sale. What's holding you back? Well, there are lots of reasons - here are four likely ones:
1. "Haven't you heard? There's a recession going on."
2. "Everyone's tightening their belts; they're not going to buy anything from me."
3. "I heard they just laid off some people. They're probably just holding on."
4. "The last prospect didn't buy anything, so this one will be just like that one."
Actually, these aren't reasons or excuses; they're lies you tell yourself. Even though the information may be correct, what's that got to do with the prospect you're looking at through the windshield of your car?
Why do we tell ourselves these lies and, worse, believe them enough that we fail to make the call? The answer is Call Reluctance.
Call reluctance is a destructive state of mind virtually every salesperson gets into from time to time. The simplest explanation for the call reluctance emotion is that you presume too much. For example:
1. You presume that you will be rejected.
Actually, the prospect might reject your offer, but not you. Since everyone knows an offer doesn't have feelings, separate yourself from your offer, and at least go make a new friend.
2. You presume that they will kick you out of the office.
In truth, they might tell you they don't have time to talk, so the worst that could happen is you find yourself outside of their office. Since that's exactly where you are right now, you will be no worse off. What part of "I can't lose" is difficult?
3. You presume that they don't need what you sell.
Here's a flash: That decision is above your pay-grade. Who do you think you are, answering for them? Get over yourself, and allow prospects to decide for themselves. You might be right, but until you know for sure, you're just betting against yourself, which doesn't sound like a very intelligent career strategy, does it?
The slayer of sales is not a recession. The killer of commissions is not budget cuts. The most potent prospecting poison is not 10% unemployment. The greatest impediment to sales success is found in the wisdom of that great philosopher, Pogo the Possum, who so famously said, "We have seen the enemy, and he is us."
Can you overcome call reluctance and prove Pogo wrong?
Write this on a rock... Remember, somebody is buying something from someone somewhere - right now! It might as well be you.
Jim Blasingame, small business expert and host of The Small Business Advocate Show
©2009 All Rights Reserved.
