What's in a name?
Today, while at work, I picked up a phone call where the caller ID read " Switchboard > Incoming Line". Uh oh! This was a vendor and they were trying to sell me something. Thank you switchboard for yet another transferred call. But, given the nature of my job, I'm obliged to pick it up because it could easily be a branch office that actually does have a question for me the person, not me the potential buyer.
I picked up the phone, managed to squeak out a cheery greeting only to be greeted by....Yes, hi Lindy? I corrected her, of course, but repeatedly through the phone call...Lindy, Lindy, Lindy. I grew increasingly annoyed throughout the call, not because of the sales pitch but because the person on the other end of the line didn't bother to listen to me. She probably heard me, but she didn't listen. Rule # 1 of engaging with a potential client: Listen to them. You might actually learn something! And if you can't seem to get my name right, what does that tell me about your service?
I realize to this person, I'm a just name on a list. Believe me, I've made enough market research calls in the past few weeks to understand how frustrating it is to call person after person, only to be hung up on (or worse). That being said, be nice to those names on the lists because one of these days, it may mean the difference between making the sale that keeps a company afloat or helping it go under.
I picked up the phone, managed to squeak out a cheery greeting only to be greeted by....Yes, hi Lindy? I corrected her, of course, but repeatedly through the phone call...Lindy, Lindy, Lindy. I grew increasingly annoyed throughout the call, not because of the sales pitch but because the person on the other end of the line didn't bother to listen to me. She probably heard me, but she didn't listen. Rule # 1 of engaging with a potential client: Listen to them. You might actually learn something! And if you can't seem to get my name right, what does that tell me about your service?
I realize to this person, I'm a just name on a list. Believe me, I've made enough market research calls in the past few weeks to understand how frustrating it is to call person after person, only to be hung up on (or worse). That being said, be nice to those names on the lists because one of these days, it may mean the difference between making the sale that keeps a company afloat or helping it go under.