Sales Tip of the Week from Mike Leeds – Pro Sales Coaching
Things are not always as they appear
Sometimes things are not always as they seem. I usually believe that your perception is your reality. However, timing is truly everything. Have you ever seen or heard something, and thought (or said) "what’s up with that?" Sometimes, you just need to pause, or gather more information before you react (in both business and casual conversations). This happens more than you may think - case in point:
In February, 2010 at the Phoenix Open, it was reported that Ian Poulter (a British Golfer) directed an "obscene finger gesture" towards the crowded gallery on the golf tournament's rowdy 16th hole - after the crowd began chanting U-S-A, U-S-A!
It appeared that the golfer was wondering why the crowd was "taunting" him.
It also appeared that the Phoenix Open crowd was wondering why the golfer had "gestured" at them.
As is turned out, the crowd's chant had nothing to do with Poulter and was merely a coincidence. The cheers at that moment were actually in response to the USA Hockey Team scoring during their Olympic gold-medal game with Canada.
The golfer did not realize the USA-Canada game was in progress, and most of the people in the gallery did not think of Poulter as British, just merely a golfer.
How many times in sales (or other business) situations have things been misinterpreted causing regrettable results?
Timing is everything, and sometimes the only thing!
Have a great sales day!