Yellow Dog Consulting

Sales & Marketing Consulting for solo-preneurs.

And When You Complain, You Get What You Need…

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IMG_6645If you read my newsletter last week (and if you didn’t, fix that!), then you know I bought a new car a couple of weeks ago and had a great buying experience, but not a fabulous follow through experience. So, I thought today (for those interested…) I’d share what happened next…

Last week I got the follow up survey, where I’d been “coached” to give all 10’s to my sales guy. And guess what? I didn’t give all 10’s!

Why? Because he didn’t deserve it- the sales processes doesn’t end just because you got my money, I still had 3 days to return the car, plus lots of friends in my future to sing praises or heed warning about you dude.

Not 15 minutes after I submitted my survey did I have an email in my inbox from the sales rep…

Good morning.  I just came back from vacation today and just received the survey you just filled out which came back as a failing score.  I am sorry this happened and you felt this way.  I have some answers to your questions however:

The answers were great and totally answered my questions. If only his back up person had been this helpful…

And here’s a good lesson to learn: When you go on vacation, make sure that your back up person really has your back.

Well, Did you Ask?

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IMG_6622_2I’m amazed how often people don’t ask questions.

Do you have any questions about the 10 page contract I sent you?

Do you have any questions about how I work with clients?

Do you have any questions about this huge invoice I just sent over?

It’s weird to me, but people sure don’t ask as much as they should. so ask for them. when I go to a client meeting the first agenda item is “news and updates” what’s going on with them? What do I need to know about? What’s driving them crazy right now and can I help?

As you know, one of my mantras is: I can’t help you if I don’t know what you need! 

And it’s true, ask questions don’t just take information at face value. If you don’t see what you want on a website, don’t assume they don’t do it (if it’s in the same realm), ask them!

Take the Meeting

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IMG_6567I’m squatting at a friends office today because Comcast decided that home internet wasn’t on the agenda for this afternoon. I told him later this week I have a bunch of non-client meetings. It can be great, but you don’t know till you get there. I hate that, the unknown. Lately I’ve had a great streak of meetings and calls that turned into clients or great referral sources. But you just don’t know till you get there.

So, here’s what I do- I trust the people who send me introductions. If it sounds like it may not be a good fit I’ll try and make it a phone call instead of in person, but you never know how it’ll turn out.

I’ve also made sure to have enough time this week to get my work done. I can afford to be out of the house for an entire day not making money because The day before I’m home and getting all the work done I need to.

I still don’t have this down, and you know I’ve posted before on this topic, but if you trust the folks referring and making introductions, it’s probably worth taking the meeting.