Dealing with difficult prospects

I agree about difficult prospects - just move on. I've even "fired" customers if their difficult nature didn't show up right away.

From a customer service standpoint, there's a great book called Verbal Judo written by a guy who does training for everyone from police officers to corporate managers.

It's a quick read, and if you really pay attention, can do wonders for improving skills at working with difficult people.

Kathleen

I personally am not interested in working with difficult customers and I let them know it. Seriously, I am not a whipping post. I'm happy to see that I'm not alone on this.

I'm in complete agreement with several others here. If a prospect appears grumpy and the "chemistry" is not right -- run, don't walk away. I've taken on customers who I knew were not a fit with my business -- because I needed the money! It always turns out that it takes more time than anticipated and more emotional energy just putting up with them!

That's why I'm in business for myself. . .so I can decide who I want to work for!

JuneVK

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuneVK

That's why I'm in business for myself. . .so I can decide who I want to work for!

JuneVK

You said it!!

If they come off rude or obnoxious, I tell them to have a great day and move on to the next prospect. Simple as that. There is no need for anyone to treat you like that and honestly, do you really want to work with people like that anyway?

Quote:

Originally Posted by wlctrent

If they come off rude or obnoxious, I tell them to have a great day and move on to the next prospect. Simple as that. There is no need for anyone to treat you like that and honestly, do you really want to work with people like that anyway?

People who release negative energy are themselves engulfed by it. One must first stop, breathe, put themselves in their place and seek to understand the reason or triggger behind the negativity. Only then can a paridigm shift take place. Once you explore and find the cause of the negativity (the trigger), you can move forward with your purpose. You may also decide to forgo the "sale thing" for the moment and come back to it at a more appropriate time and place. Seek to be patience, understanding and tolerant. Work towards their resolve. Seek to find the cause not the effect.

michaelc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by job ready strategist

People who release negative energy are themselves engulfed by it. One must first stop, breathe, put themselves in their place and seek to understand the reason or triggger behind the negativity. Only then can a paridigm shift take place. Once you explore and find the cause of the negativity (the trigger), you can move forward with your purpose. You may also decide to forgo the "sale thing" for the moment and come back to it at a more appropriate time and place. Seek to be patience, understanding and tolerant. Work towards their resolve. Seek to find the cause not the effect.

michaelc.

Do you see time for that in an initial sales contact?

Great morning Agent Smith,

We are creatures of habit. We are conditioned to respond. We are trained to act. The great news is that we can be re-conditioned, re-trained and able to create new habits. It's a mindset. Fake it till you make it. We must assess a person within seconds. Based on that assessment we decide to sell the product first or first resolve a negative situation which will increase the opportunity to sell the product. We must first seek to put the client in an environment that is condusive to his emotional success, mental stability, thereby increasing the percentage of product sales. Self-success comes from helping others succeed first. Just a thought...

michaelc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by job ready strategist

We are creatures of habit. We are conditioned to respond. We are trained to act. The great news is that we can be re-conditioned, re-trained and able to create new habits.
michaelc.

Michael, are you referring to ourselves or are you referring to the "difficult prospects" of this topic.

If it is the former, why would another person's difficult behavour suggest, necessarily, that we have to make changes in ourselves to the point of reconditioning, re-training, or creating new habits? Why would that imply that there is something inadequate in us?

I don't mean that as a rhetorical question. I sincerely would like the thoughts behind your post.

When you're working for a large company, you ususally have to suck it up and deal w/ rude people. Not much fun, but it's reality.

Susan

	#11
KSA-Mktg	Re: Dealing with difficult prospects I agree about difficult prospects - just move on. I've even "fired" customers if their difficult nature didn't show up right away. From a customer service standpoint, there's a great book called Verbal Judo written by a guy who does training for everyone from police officers to corporate managers. It's a quick read, and if you really pay attention, can do wonders for improving skills at working with difficult people. Kathleen __________________ Build Real Estate Results!

	#12
Houston	Re: Dealing with difficult prospects I personally am not interested in working with difficult customers and I let them know it. Seriously, I am not a whipping post. I'm happy to see that I'm not alone on this.

	#13
JuneVK	Re: Dealing with difficult prospects I'm in complete agreement with several others here. If a prospect appears grumpy and the "chemistry" is not right -- run, don't walk away. I've taken on customers who I knew were not a fit with my business -- because I needed the money! It always turns out that it takes more time than anticipated and more emotional energy just putting up with them! That's why I'm in business for myself. . .so I can decide who I want to work for! JuneVK

	#15
wlctrent	If they come off rude or obnoxious, I tell them to have a great day and move on to the next prospect. Simple as that. There is no need for anyone to treat you like that and honestly, do you really want to work with people like that anyway?

	#18
job ready strategist	Great morning Agent Smith, We are creatures of habit. We are conditioned to respond. We are trained to act. The great news is that we can be re-conditioned, re-trained and able to create new habits. It's a mindset. Fake it till you make it. We must assess a person within seconds. Based on that assessment we decide to sell the product first or first resolve a negative situation which will increase the opportunity to sell the product. We must first seek to put the client in an environment that is condusive to his emotional success, mental stability, thereby increasing the percentage of product sales. Self-success comes from helping others succeed first. Just a thought... michaelc.

	#20
susana	When you're working for a large company, you ususally have to suck it up and deal w/ rude people. Not much fun, but it's reality. Susan __________________ *Join my new blog: www.sellingtotheaffluent.net* *www.susanadamshome.com*

Dealing with difficult prospects

Customer Service