A family member proudly sent a favorite recipe. Sautéing and blending were required, but, there were no instructions on how to serve. It was liquid, so I cleverly poured “The Sauce” over pasta. We found it to be delicious. Conveying to our relative how much we enjoyed the sauce on the pasta, I heard loud laughter. t was meant to be a dip for vegetables or on bread as an appetizer!
What does this have to do with developing business? Everything!
Communicate with Clarity
By omitting instructions and forgetting to check for questions, people on the other end will misinterpret your meaning almost every time. In fact, the lack of clarity may well kill your chance for building business or getting the sale.
Apply clarity to everything including:
– Conversations
– Correspondence
– Proposals
The ultimate strategy is to follow-up each time by asking, “Do you have any questions?”
Set Expectations for those partnering with you
1. State your processes involved, expectations of the person helping you and your availability for assistance in getting started
2. Provide a timeline for each step
3. Help others to help you
Remember, your teammates are not mind readers. Keep them informed every step of the way and behave as a reporter delivering the how, what, who, when, where and why so that you are on the same page. Should social media help be provided, create the postings, tweets and unique links to empower the effort made on your behalf.
Always make working with you easy!
Ask for Feedback
A smart technique to improve what you have in place is to always ask for feedback as to how the experience of working with you has been. While it is true complaints are never pleasant, when we brace ourselves to listen, much may be learned. In fact, some feedback may provide an “a-ha” moment to fast track what is already in place.
The brighter side of feedback is you will be more likely to receive wonderful testimonials and referrals, as most people do not think to offer these.
Build Relationships and When Disaster Hits Ask for Help
Building business requires meeting many and voluntarily making introductions. Good will goes a long way and somewhere down the road will be reciprocated. When disaster strikes, asking for help and connections to those who might be in the best position to provide the help becomes a requirement. With sound relationships in place, peers and friends will creatively brainstorm with you and for you to help find a solution.
The secret ingredient for coming out of a disaster zone as a winner is to keep an open mind as many ideas may come your way. Try those ideas first that appeal to you the most.
Asking for help is often very difficult. But by allowing ourselves to ask and receive appropriately will further build and strengthen relationships. These are what make our businesses strong. Your personal brand may well become that of “a very good friend to have”.
Adapting these entrepreneurial habits to your style will advance you to the Smooth Sale! Check out the Summer Sales School roster of online classes.
Author:
Elinor Stutz, CEO of Smooth Sale, LLC, (800) 704-1499, was honored by Open View Labs as one of “Top 25 Sales Influencers for 2012.” Elinor authored the International Best-Selling book, “Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results”, Sourcebooks and the best selling career book, “HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews”, Career Press. She provides team sales training, private coaching and highly acclaimed inspirational keynotes for conferences. Elinor is available for consultation.
