My first sales job was for my brother selling online listings to hardware and software suppliers. The problem is that this was back in 1990, so no one knew what that was, and I did little to help. I was horrible. Just really, really awful. My brother, being the kind soul he is, was sure to tell me so, and I was equally sure I didn’t have the stuff of real salesmen. I was pretty miserable. I always wished I knew how to use that Jedi, ninja mind stuff that others did. How much better would my life have been, if I could predispose people to like what I was selling? The funny thing is, it’s very often as simple as being forthright and letting people know how you see things.
The other day, I was picking up some groceries at Dean and Deluca, and the person weighing my vegetables gave me a free clementine sample. “Give it a try,” he said. “Tell me what you think.” As I tasted it, I put forth my absolute best effort to like it. I really wanted it will be wonderful. In the end, it was only mediocre, but had they been good, I certainly would have bought some. I told him the clementines weren’t bad in the most positive, enthusiastic voice I could muster.
Today, I had some icy and not all too impressive yogurt from Red Mango. It made me think back to another experience. There is a yogurt shop in the City – I think it’s Berrywild – that has two styles of yogurt. Creamy and icy. The icy style is what most people would think of as a mistake. Grainy and textured, though not any worse in flavor. By positioning it as an option, though, it became a benefit instead. Had they not positioned it that way, I probably would have tried the icy and thought “This is awful!” But, instead, I saw it as a refreshing alternative to the creamy flavor. By calling out its distinct quality and making it clear it was intentional, I became more accepting of it.
What amazes me is how easy it is to connect with people without resorting to tricks. It turns out half of being a Jedi ninja can be as simple as being forthright and passionate. The other half is making sure to let those things come through in the right way. Let people know how you think. Be enthusiastic. Show you care. I’m sure there are hundreds of examples like the ones I encountered in the past week. What are some other simple ways you’ve experienced to connect with people?
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