Friday, December 30, 2011

Never Underestimate The Power of Stupid People or Things I Actually Heard Customers Say to Me This Year

Lets  take a look back at 2011 and some of the outrageous comments customers made to me this year.

First one up. A client in North Baltimore was deciding between my service and a competitor that is notorious for service issues. When I brought that topic up she responded "well if the phones don't work we can always use our cell phones and if the internet is down fora day or two, we just wont check email, really it's not a big deal." I wished that customer and hung up the phone

Second: a Potential client on Main Street told me that she believes in working with local companies and keeping money in the local economy. 1 month later she decided to stay with her large national provider when I asked her why she stated "well they employ people here in Maryland so that money is staying local." Think I may have called her an idiot before hanging up, don't remember exactly.

Next, A potential client in Just South east of town was using a competitor of mine that I knew had a faster internet product. They were getting ready to move across the street. I told her that as long as they could provide service at their new office that it was a good idea to keep them. 4 weeks later I get a call that the other provider dropped the ball and was having trouble delivering service. They asked me for a revised proposal. I gave  them one. Did not hear anything for another 4 weeks. I called them again and the service still was not up. I asked why they had not signed my paperwork and they told me " well, we are a small business and we just cant afford to increase our phone bill so much." The increase would have been $100 a month and I would have had the service up and running 6 weeks ago. How much business did they lose in those six weeks? I am willing to bet is was more than $1200 worth.

It just goes to show you that no matter how good you are, no matter how good your products are, there is always going to be a potential client that buys into fear or buys into the brand that the other company is selling.

Truth matters little, what people perceive to be true is the real key. Understand what your customer perceives to be true and you can sell them anything that aligns with that perceived truth.

Thanks for reading today

Here is to a great 2012

Mike

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Peace on Earth & Good Will to Man ( and Woman)

I have not blogged in quite some time. I was in a car accident in early November and have been dealing with a concussion and the terrible headaches that come with. But I thought it important to wish you all the best of times with friends and family in this Holidays Season.

Not Sales Tactics

No Sales Pitch

No Agenda, no ax to grind

Just some gratitude and appreciation to all the people that have read my blog this year, supported me this year, been my friend this year and have become customers and business partners this year.

Regardless of what religion you follow, this is the time of year when people reflect on the good in life, are grateful for the things they have and try to help others.

I wish you all the best now and in 2012

Mike S.