Guest Blogger

I hope someone tries to sell me something I don't need

Each time I am invited to speak to a good size audience, I can't help but notice the subset of individuals who are clearly there hoping they can sell to someone (if not everyone) in the room. You know who they are. They are the ones who approach the networking events like a contest to see how many business cards they can distribute and collect. It is as if someone told them that their goal is to collect as many business cards as possible and then, without permission, add those people to their email distribution list. They return to the office and proudly say "I went to the event with a stack of 60 cards, and I don't have any left in my pocket!" What an accomplishment, right?

So, what's wrong with that approach?

How do you feel about those people? Do you secretly hope they will seek you out? You avoid them like the plague, right? The simple fact is that you and I don't want to be on the receiving end of a sales pitch. If they did collect a stack of business cards, what do those cards represent? They throw those names into their big sales machine. They will be shocked to learn that they have to pursue one-hundred opportunities to turn just one into a success. They then will say “It’s all a numbers game.” Well, it is a numbers game if you play it that way!

How about an example

You just cooked an amazing meal. In fact, you have a secret sauce that let’s your dish stand out. You are seeking the right “customer” for your meal made with chicken, cheese, pasta, and some other ingredients. There is a room of 100 potential diners. Which path makes the most sense?

a) Hold every person hostage until they listen to you talk about your dish;

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