Sales Calls

[DodgyAgent]

I find that all cold calls are horrible - even "good" polished ones. I sometimes wonder if being less polished, so you sound more human, would be better - for my plan B I have to do cold calling (and I HATE it). Dodgy, what's your preferred approach?

I introduce myself very quickly and then ask if they have a moment. If they say no I then ask if I can call them later. They will either agree to this or they will speak to me there and then. I always know something about them and I have a single objective to the call. It is either to get a meeting or an agreement to consider the proposition. During the call I always try to get them to talk to me as soon as possible and illicit this by asking a "how"? question.
If they then talk they are likely to reveal a problem to which I will respond "if I can will you". I keep the proposition/presentation as short as I can.

[DodgyAgent]

Very simple really just introduce yourself tell them what you're about and then ask if they're interested. You need to highlight what's so gr8 about what your selling them of course.

The main thing is getting to speak to the person in charge, no point in leaving a message with a secretary or talking to his assistant. You've got to talk to the decision maker.

You do NOT ask if they are interested. You only ask rhetorical questions whereby either answer keeps the sale open

[billybiro]

I take about 4 sales calls a day from people selling corporate hospitality, recruitment agents () photocopier sales, office supplies etc etc. Obviously I am a very busy man but I do it in the hope that occasionally there is something I need (a preloaded credit card for foreign business trips at very competitive exchange rates is one such example). It is also nice to have a girlie call (I always take female calls) but what really "pisses" me off is when they open up by asking how I am and if I am having a good week- as if they know me.
i do a lot of "cold calls" and I never do this unless I know the person. To hear it from these people simply makes the stomach churn. Who is it training these people?

Yes. I also really hate it when people call me up and are polite, courteous and nice. I'd much rather they just called me a c * n t then proceeded to berate me over my lack of intelligence/hygiene/beauty etc. I really love it when they then proceed to insult my own mother, usually referring to her sexual promiscuity with prisoners and tramps.

Seriously, someone is trying to be nice to you and you have a problem with that? WTF?

[DAG]

I love it when they then proceed to insult my own mother, usually referring to her sexual promiscuity with prisoners and tramps.

Seriously? this happens?

[billybiro]

Seriously? this happens?

Frequently. She's a woman with very loose morals!

[cojak]

Yeppers. Their opening gambit is an ice breaker and once you have entered into one of these types of discussins I think it oputs you wery much on the back foot and it makes it harder to play hard ball and cut them off.

This very much depends on the type of person they are dealing with of course and I think they are very much playing on something that I have noticed over here and that is that there is this veneer of niceness in all day to day dealings whether you are letting someone in a queue or picking up something dropped on the floor by someone.

People are very much adverse to doing anything to break out of the niceness so the sooner the niceness begins the sooner you have them trapped.

I never start with niceness.

[PHONE]
What do you want?
No thanks.
[/PHONE]

[DodgyAgent]

Yes. I also really hate it when people call me up and are polite, courteous and nice. I'd much rather they just called me a c * n t then proceeded to berate me over my lack of intelligence/hygiene/beauty etc. I really love it when they then proceed to insult my own mother, usually referring to her sexual promiscuity with prisoners and tramps.

Seriously, someone is trying to be nice to you and you have a problem with that? WTF?

I do have a problem with it. For a start it is insincere, secondly it is presumptive and thirdly condescending. If you are an insecure little Hitler that likes fawning sycophants then fine. BTW what's your telephone number?

[Mich the Tester]

Frequently. She's a woman with very loose morals!

Loose morals are fine as long as they have a tight....

<cue neg rep 'Sexist Pig!>

[DodgyAgent]

Loose morals are fine as long as they have a tight....

<cue neg rep 'Sexist Pig!>

It is bad manners not to finish a sentence

[Churchill]

"I've got a nice little earner in upmarket Doncaster"

Threaded's yer man!

Where's my 20%?