Ad Aware
Perhaps it is the economic downturn.
Perhaps it is a new passion for quality.
Perhaps it is completely random.
For whatever reason, businesses that rely on churches for a portion of their income are beating the bushes looking for business.
There was a time where I would receive a couple of ‘cold calls’ a month looking for business. Now, I literally receive a couple a day. At least.
TV Stations wanting to sell commercials and online advertising. Commercial Printers wanting to set up a meeting to talk about what they can do. Copier Lease Companies wanting us to see their copy/fax/e-mail/kitchensink machines. Radio Station Promotion Managers wanting to know if we’ve ever ‘thought about’ radio. Media Sales/Install companies looking to get together to discuss our ‘needs’. Spanish Yellow Page reps looking to see if we are ethnically savvy. Media Content Creation Companies wanting us to buy their latest and greatest volume packages. The list goes on and on.
Now, I am the type of Creative Minister that loves meetings, synergy, and getting to know companies, their reps, and what they have to offer…
BUT I AM TIRED OF IT.
I find myself screening my calls using Caller ID and asking most all reps to simply drop off printed information for me to look over. I simply don’t have enough time in a day to sit down with all of the sales people who simply have to meet with me. And frankly, I am becoming jaded.
TO SALESMEN and YOUR CORPORATE MANAGERS: I understand the need to meet the bottom line and keep sales high. I completely understand the problem the economy has caused and that you must go in search of new clients to replace your previous clients that have reduced or completely cut the dollars you so desperately seek…. BUT…. You should have created a relationship with me before now! Where were you when times were good?! Why were you not seeking to create and maintain new relationships then?? Had you done so, you might not simply be one of many sharks that I try to avoid on a daily basis.
Times are tough. But the businesses that had the foresight to plan for it are the ones that really deserve to survive.
Happy Hunting!
I understand your frustration Kevin, as I AM a salesperson “beating the bushes.” I appreciate you understanding some of our dilemma. These salespeople were probably just as busy taking care of current customers when “the times were good”, and didn’t have as much time to prospect for new business. I can share that with you from personal experience. Last year, I had too many customers I had to keep up with, and not enough time to prospect for new business, despite corporate management wanting new business. This year, it’s been a totally different story. Business HAS dropped off, and as a result, we actually have more TIME to try and prospect new business.
Honestly, I found it funny how you put “needs” in quotation. That IS a heck of a buzzword, isn’t it? And despite a salesperson’s desire to truly meet “needs”, we know you as a potential customer can see right through that as well. It’s a fine line walking ethically in sales. We truly do want to meet a need, while truly wanting to increase sales.
And that’s why I know I can’t do it long term. But for now, it’s a way God has provided for me to be able to take care of my family.
I understand the frustration Kevin, I really do. Just remember through that frustration, that you’re talking to another human being that is trying to take care of their families also…and it may even be a fellow brother or sister in Christ. I know you will…