Primary Tuesday Selling Tips from CFI Medical Solutions!
Posted on Tue, Feb 28, 2012 @ 01:23 PM
It’s primary day here in Michigan! Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum are stumping around CFI Medical Solutions’ home state, as we speak. Even Ron Paul was here for a split second - but he didn’t stick around long.
Nonetheless, it got this blogger to thinking about the candidates’ sales approaches because, after all, that’s exactly what they’re doing: selling themselves to the American voter. And if there’s anything we’re familiar with here at CFI Medical, it’s selling. Here are a few things we’ve found helpful when we’re attempting to sell our products to a potential customer.
- Mind your words: As the old saying goes, don’t call their baby ugly. Implying that their current way of doing things is bad makes them dislike you. For example, “You’re currently using product A, doctor. There are so many studies showing that it just flat-out doesn’t work. Let me show you why product B is so much better.” Good luck with that message! In the case of politics, slinging mud at the opponent or competition makes the public dislike the mudslinger.
- Know your audience: How many times has a coworker passed you in the hallway and chirped, “Smile!”? Regardless of your state of mind, (which was probably just fine albeit wrapped in thought), their delivery and their presumption made you feel exactly the opposite of smiling. In fact, you may have wanted to punch them in the face. It’s important to adapt your delivery accordingly. Don’t assume anything about the moods, beliefs, family, sexuality, political opinions, wealth, etc. about the person to whom your speaking or presenting.
- Be yourself: people can smell a phony a mile away and, while they may be too polite to say so, if you’re being someone you’re not, they don’t trust you and aren’t putting any stock in what you’re saying. Being who you truly are puts other people at ease and shows them that they’re safe being themselves around you. It’s like the politician who claims to support manufacturing but votes against bailouts or small business. It makes it tough to trust him or her. Always remember one of the cardinal rules of sales: show don’t tell. Do as you say you’re going to do!
And now, I’m off to vote. Remember to thank the people working at your precinct. They work a long day for a pittance and a slice of pizza.