No!

In elementary sales school you learn that a prospect’s “no” is short for “not enough information”.

And so, whole armies of salesforces bombard their prospects with ever more info when the prospect has already tuned out and started to feel annoyed.

A better way is to consider the possibility that your customers are actually, you know, smart and that they might actually know what they want and need.

Sure, sometimes a “no” means that you haven’t explained it well enough or that a crucial detail was missing. But other times, a “no” really does mean “no”.

If it’s the latter, rather than adding more detail you might want to consider fixing the product or finding a better match. Only if it’s the former will tweaking your communication have an impact.

(It helps, of course, to become good at distinguishing the two.)

Check out my new book
The PATH to Strategic Impact

Get This Moment Counts in your inbox.
How exceptional leaders communicate when the message has to land

    I value your privacy. No spam. Just “Great stuff, brilliantly articulated” (to use the words of longtime reader David).

    Read More

    Conversations worth having

    Last week in Sweden, I visited MEQIFY and the Malmö International Rotary Club for two intimate sessions that felt more like conversations than events …

    Read »

    Why I write daily

    Any medium has their merits. For example, conversations happen in the moment and you can instantly react to the situation. Or videos capture your whole

    Read »

    Everybody is interesting

    “We believe that everybody has a story and is creative in their own way.” – Astrid Klein Long-time reader Thomas Maile nominated Mark Dytham and

    Read »