magnetic elephant: blog 
magnetic elephant's blog
eskimos don't need ice!
Published Nov. 15, 2007
I was at a networking event earlier this week and my friend whispered, "I'm telling you, don't talk to him (pointing to someone across the room), he'll try to sell something to you...he could sell ice to an Eskimo!"
First of all, it's true, I appreciated the information and had absolutely no desire to talk to him. But, I want to make it clear, it's not because of his Superman-ish ability to sell ice to eskimos and whether I (AKA - Kryptonite) could stand up under the pressure. No, I didn't want to talk to him because I don't like to be sold to.
Seriously, doesn't it drive you crazy when someone tries to push a product or service on you? Salespeople are taught all kinds of tricks and gimmicks to try to manipulate people into purchasing. Curious.
Truly, I find this curious.
I don't know about you, but I like buying things. And, if you're like me, I buy things on a daily basis. Sometimes, it could be a splurge or out of necessity, but you and I buy big ticket items too! Unless I'm having a particularly fiscally challenging week, it feels good to buy things. I like it.
So if we like to buy things, why are salespeople taught to manipulate?
Good question. These techniques continue to be taught because, to be fair, sometimes they work. But I would imagine (imagine with me...come on, you can do it!), many of these "purchasers" regret their decision. Now, there's an unhappy client and the business has to increase the size of their customer service department. Customer service reps get frustrated with the never-ending barrage of ill-suited clients and customer service goes down, client leaves in disgust. Vicious cycle.
Wouldn't it make more sense for salespeople to be taught to find the clients that want to buy what they have to offer? Wouldn't it make more sense for a salesperson to be rewarded for finding a client that not only does repeat business, but is such a raving fan that they refer more business?
In my opinion, salespeople need to focus on the right market and learn to position themselves in the market so that people/businesses can understand if they are the right client.
And above all else, be ethical - how in the world does the salesperson sleep at night after selling ice to an Eskimo. Eskimos don't need ice!
***
More information about Deidre Hughey can be found on her company's website or on LinkedIn.
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GOLO member since November 15, 2007
November 19, 2007 1:33 p.m.
"Greed will drive humanity farther into this pit...as long as people want money." Unless a person is a self-sufficient, self-contained entity, money is a realistic desire. Most of us NEED money in order to survive. I would simply state that we need to make a decision in our lives (whether we're salespeople or not) to be ethical and treat each other with decency. It is a choice.
In every profession, there are people that treat their occupation with high ethical standards and a caring for humanity and others that take short cuts and step on others for their own cause. It's a personal decision.
GOLO member since November 15, 2007
November 19, 2007 9:56 a.m.
GOLO member since July 3, 2007
November 16, 2007 8:02 a.m.
GOLO member since September 11, 2007
November 15, 2007 7:16 p.m.
GOLO member since September 11, 2007
November 15, 2007 7:10 p.m.
GOLO member since September 20, 2007
November 15, 2007 11:50 a.m.
I know what you mean -- we were walking through a mall the other day and it felt like a marketplace in some third-world country. "You want some lotion, pretty lady?" "May I clean your glasses, sir?" "Wouldn't you like a beautiful new watch?" Gah! Don't touch me! Leave me alone!
GOLO member since August 1, 2007
November 15, 2007 10:18 a.m.
GOLO member since October 31, 2007
November 15, 2007 9:40 a.m.
I really intensely dislike those people.
GOLO member since August 15, 2007
November 15, 2007 9:27 a.m.
Anyway, when I got hired at the place I currently work at, there were no rules requiring referrals or pushing products and services...and starting next year we have to have at least sold one thing a week. Not hard if you're selling toasters or something...but when it comes to people's money, you'd be surprised at the comments we get when we suggest a higher interest bearing savings account or CD...or to have them meet with a financial representative to plan for long term investments. People get really mean. I don't like the way this company is going and if it becomes mandatory to my continued employment here to sell someone something, I will soon be looking for another job.
GOLO member since August 15, 2007
November 15, 2007 9:26 a.m.
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