Awkward Cold Call

Originally Posted by WobblyBox What if all outbound calls from that facility were blocked?

That's certainly possible. Is that a common practice in most small businesses?

Susan

Originally Posted by susana Is that a common practice in most small businesses?

I doubt that.

Originally Posted by susana I recieved a call yesterday. The person calling had their ID blocked--this always irritates me. When I picked up, the person on the other end just gave his name. I had no idea whoe he wasa or what he wanted. As it turned out, he was looking for a joint venture partner. I would have appreciated that information when he introduced himself. The first 10 minutes were really awkward because of the way it started out.He had no idea what the customer (me) would think of a blocked call and someone just giving me their name. We all can learn a lesson from this... Susan

Trust is one of the number one assets a sales person can have. Blocking your number and withholding your name are not good starting points!

Be direct and to the point to establish immediate trust in a relationship - if the other person doesn't get you can't make that person get it. In a minute I want the other person to know why I've called and if that person wants me to continue or not - I feel that way about that person too.

Very simple.
MitchM

I guess I don't see the relationship between a caller ID not showing and a call from a sales person wanting to sell something.

I'm more impressed with the skill set of the person making the phone call myself.

I'm a big believer in what's referred to as "permission based marketing"..... so if the person who's calling has been properly trained to use the phone I'll want to listen to what they have to say.

I'm also not one who subscribes to the do not call list thing either. It's just a part of my sales mentality I guess.

Chuck

Originally Posted by susana I recieved a call yesterday. The person calling had their ID blocked--this always irritates me. When I picked up, the person on the other end just gave his name. I had no idea whoe he wasa or what he wanted. As it turned out, he was looking for a joint venture partner. I would have appreciated that information when he introduced himself. The first 10 minutes were really awkward because of the way it started out.He had no idea what the customer (me) would think of a blocked call and someone just giving me their name. We all can learn a lesson from this... Susan

"The person calling had their ID blocked..." Often done by telemarketing firms; not a tactic I like.

Wonderboy,

My add'l two cents worth on this subject.

Technology has advanced the how and why we as humans justify the use of our time and our space.

I guess that I don't see why caller ID needs to have a negative effect. The only reason most people use it is just because they can.

For about $200 I took a one day cold calling class held by the local Dale Carnigie licensee. We learned to deal with this and many other obstacles in the field of sales.

Chuck

Originally Posted by Sales Pro 1000 Wonderboy, My add'l two cents worth on this subject. Technology has advanced the how and why we as humans justify the use of our time and our space. I guess that I don't see why caller ID needs to have a negative effect. The only reason most people use it is just because they can. For about $200 I took a one day cold calling class held by the local Dale Carnigie licensee. We learned to deal with this and many other obstacles in the field of sales. Chuck

I think we always like to know who we're dealing with in the shortest time possible - speaking for myself, I regard a phone call as an invasion of my privacy so I'd like to know who's on the other end.

Thanx Sales Pro.

Wonderboy, thanks for the explanation.

I've not thought of a business telephone call as an invasion of privacy I guess. To me it's much the same as the front door of the business. During business hours it's open. Business, to my mind, is basically communication between two or more human beings, and that communication can be carried by a variety of methods.

Chuck

I am new to sales, although not new to my industry of Commercial Printing, I would like to know how you are supposed to communicate with potential customers if the clients screen calls.
Is'nt business 1 on 1 communication between 2 people.