At a recent networking event, I met a salesperson from a staffing company.
Here’s how he introduced himself to me, “Hi, My name is Joe, and I work for ACME staffing. We’ve been in business for ten years. Do you need any staff people?”
Here’s what he could have said, “How much is one great salesperson worth? How many total salespeople do you have? Out of the people you have, how many are GREAT? I think I can find you some really GREAT salespeople in exchange for your good ones.”
Now that’s engagement. He didn’t have to introduce himself or his company.
If you say, “My name is. I do..” The other person will always say, “We’re satisfied with who we’re already using.” That’s the selling side.
The engagement side is in the questions. That’s the easy part.
Here’s another example:
“Hi, I’m Joe Banker. I represent ACME Bank. We’re great. We have checking accounts and loans, and did I mention checking accounts?”
“No thanks, we’ve been dealing with NO LOAN FOR YOU bank and we love them.”
The best approach is, “Have you ever walked into a bank and you wanted a loan and they didn’t give it to you? Did they show you how you could have gotten it? Why do you think they didn’t? Wouldn’t it be cool if you had a banker that could help you get to yes instead of no. How often does your present banker review your financial statements and give you recommendations as to how to add profit?”
That’s engagement.
Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of The Sales Bible, and The Little Red Book of Selling. President of Charlotte-based Buy Gitomer, he gives seminars, runs annual sales meetings, and conducts internet training programs on sales and customer service at www.trainone.com. He can be reached at 704/333-1112 or e-mail to salesman@gitomer.com
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