Real Business Defined: Starts with “No” Followed by Many “No’s” and Ends with “Yes.”

Morning Folks!!

In the movie "The Jerk" with Steve Martin, he got some fatherly advice on the way out into the world: "You see that? That's shit, and this is Shinola." Basically inferring that now he knows everything to succeed in the real world.

Well in Business everything starts with "No" and hopefully ends with "Yes" or there was no business. Now you know everything about business and sales to go out into the universe. It's the path from "No" to "Yes" that moves the world. Got it?? Remember, nothing happens until a sale is made. Nothing!!!

How do you know a bad deal? It starts with "Yes". Sorry, something is not right when it starts with yes. It's too easy so you have to find out the reason because if you don't, you are about to be s victim of a "Businss Mugging."

Are you shaking your head and wondering wtf I am talking about? I am talking about simple. I am talking about how do you know the difference between real business where everyone wins and one-sided business where you are sure to lose?

Be suspect of the easy deal. Real deals are not usually too easy. There are issues to be hammered out. So when there are issues, and no hammer, "Yes" may not have any meaning. "Yes", maybe a waste of time. When you waste time it could be minutes, hours, days, even months. So, beware of the quick "Yes."

On the other hand, the minute someone says "No" most people think the game is over. Even a so-called professional salesman. "No" is simply the opening salvo to protect yourself from someone else invading your personal space. You have to work up from that resistance. DUH!! "No" means GAME ON! No means YES to a pro!!! No means keep selling I am not there yet. No means keep convincing me. No means they simply don't have enough info or confidence to make a decision and pull the trigger. No to the common man and he walks away with his/her tail between their legs. NO!! STOP!!! NO is the ONLY WAY to get to YES!!! SO SIMPLE!!

Let me repeat....In SALES....."NO" is the ONLY WAY to get to "YES!!!" As long as they are objecting and pointing out the NEGATIVE, you are on your way to a sale. They are doing THEIR job. Are you doing YOURS?

Again, the geniuses of the world have it ass-backward. Finnesse is the way to get from "No" to "Yes." And finesse comes from knowledge. Knowledge comes from breaking the ice after they say "No." Then, without wasting time, a little concoction of humor, banter, finding out their needs and gently getting comfortable with each other. That's the road to "Yes." But every road must start with "No," and that is the wrong time to get discouraged. No is actually an encouragement. They WANT to say yes!!! Your job is to guide them there. Gently, but firmly.

Now that does not mean you get to harass or invade their space or privacy. That dog won't hunt. But you can ask, permission. Permission to contact again. Permission to present something else. Permission to stay in touch. Once you become a PITA, it's over. So don't cross that line. Selling is a tight rope. One cautious step at a time. Selling is simply answering questions fully and giving accurate information. Never lie, never make it up. Your main job is to give facts. As "Joe Friday" used to say on Dragnet when somebody would go on and on and on, "Just the facts ma'am, nothing but the facts.

Rick Schwartz