1) Nick gave a presentation to Lucy focused on visuals like charts and pictures, but Lucy prefers to process information auditorily and make decisions based on talking things through.
2) Nick sensed he was losing Lucy's interest as she didn't respond to his visual presentation methods. However, intensifying the visuals further confused her.
3) The lesson is that some prospects rely on hearing information rather than seeing it, so salespeople need to engage them in discussion to help them make decisions.
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Tactics Manager, Week 10
1. WEEK 10 RAPPORT
The TACTIC: Hear the prospects music.
The STORY:
In conclusion, said Nick, I believe the picture Ive painted, how my companys products fit in
perfectly with where you are now, will show us the path to a long and mutually beneficial rela-
tionship.
Lucy didnt respond at first. As the newly appointed CEO, she was used to being able to ask
a million questions. Nicks presentation format didnt lend itself to that, especially when right
at the beginning, he said that all questions and concerns would be dealt with at the end.
No questions? asked Nick, seeing that Lucy was not responding.
Well, said Lucy, responding at last to a nagging question that finally surfaced in the back of
her mind, somewhere at the beginning of your presentation I heard you say, or I think I heard
you say, that pricing guarantees were possible?
I see I have to clarify that. Pricing guarantees are only available if you have opted to purchase
a range of our products from at least three different categories.
I have to say it; youve completely lost me.
Perhaps this will help, said Nick, digging through his briefcase, finally coming up with the
product comparison chart. As he unfolded it on Lucys desk, he noticed that she seemed even
more perplexed than before. If she cant see how this makes sense, thought Nick, maybe Im
just wasting my time with her. Best break this off and go see someone who gets the picture.
As Nick was explaining the chart, Lucys phone rang. She picked it up and spoke for a minute
frowning.
Nick, Im sorry. This is a really important call. Tell you what, why dont I call you tomorrow?
Well talk.
No problem for me to stop in.
I dont have time to see you tomorrow. Ill call. Thanks for coming by. As Nick left her office,
she was relieved to finally be able to talk with someone.
As Nick was driving away, he was annoyed at how she had just whisked him away, but at
least he was out of there and on to someplace where they could see what he had.
The RESULT:
Nick didnt make the sale, and as he tried harder and harder to get his picture painted, Lucy
heard less and less. The final note for Lucy was being presented with the comparison chart.
Nick, despite being crystal clear in his presentation, had no idea why his straight-forward
approach failed.
2. DISCUSSION:
Not everyone processes their world visually; somewhere around 40% of the population relies
primarily on auditory information to make decisions. What does this have to do with making
sales?
In the story, Nick was communicating in visual terms such as big picture, bringing into
focus, and even using a chart at one point to compare models. Unfortunately, Nick was
attempting to communicate visually with his prospect who was an auditory perceiver of the
world.
Lucy was not getting the picture. Nick, and correctly so, sensed that he was losing her inter-
est. So, doing what he has done in the past in such situations, he intensified his visual pres-
entation with a chart, figuring that this would help.
With each escalation of visual information, Lucy was losing more and more interest in the pic-
ture Nick was painting. Why?
She makes her buying decisions by hearing herself talk. If it sounds good then shes inclined
to buy. Nick gave her little chance to communicate with herself.
APPROACH:
To find out if you are dealing with an auditory prospectone who makes buying decisions
based on what she hearsask her a simple question.
The last time you made a purchase like this, what did you base your decision on?
Price.
I appreciate that . . . nothing else mattered?
Your goal is to get her talking. Listen to the type of words she is using. Auditory processors
use words and phrases like sound, talk, informed, heard, music to my ears, I hear you loud
and clear, and so on.
Perhaps the best indication of an auditory person is that she likes to talk. This has nothing to
do with gender. Male auditories are just as much involved with listening to themselves. In
fact, you may have had the experience of selling to an auditory if you have ever said, Gee,
that prospect sold himself, and I didnt even have to say anything. Do you hear what Im say-
ing?
Dont ever interrupt an auditory . . . wait until she is finished talking, then ask her another
question.
THOUGHT:
Some prospects hear their world, and if you dont make music to their ears, not only will they
turn the volume down, theyll even shut you off.
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