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Don't Clown Around On Your Next Presentation

Guest post by: Joe Crisara

Article Overview: If you have been to a children's ward at most any hospital before, you will notice that the wall paper is decorated with whimsical drawings of circus clowns. At first glance it seems so "value added" that the hospital would try to inspire "cheer" in the tots by providing a fun theme like clowns.

Don't Clown Around On Your Next Presentation

If you have been to a children's ward at most any hospital before, you will notice that the wall paper is decorated with whimsical drawings of circus clowns. At first glance it seems so "value added" that the hospital would try to inspire "cheer" in the tots by providing a fun theme like clowns.

However a recent state sponsored study in Great Britain shows overwhelmingly that this view is NOT shared by the children patients. Instead of creating the intended pick me up or "cheer" in the little ones. This motif inspires "fear" or a reaction of clowns as being a bit "creepy."

This really got me to think about how far off we may be when we present our options as sales professionals to our customers and the reaction that we inspire in them because of our misinterpretation of what we think they want.

In case you are wondering about how far off the hospitals are in terms of their presentation of the clowns to youngsters, the study shows it to be a landslide.

The survey of more than 250 children aged four to sixteen found that all 250 of them disliked the use of clowns in hospital decor, with even the teenagers seeing them as "scary."

"Given that children and young people do not find hospitals frightening per se - and only express fear about those spaces associated with needles - this finding is somewhat ironic," said Dr Penny Curtis of Sheffield University.

Researchers discovered that, although children appreciated colorful walls and ceilings, many found the decor babyish. The fear of clowns, known as coulrophobia, can cause panic attacks, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea and feelings of dread. Think about that the next time you check your child into a hospital.

What can you do as a sales professional to minimize your customers shock at your next presentation? Well there are lots of things you could do to minimize being so "off code" with what you are presenting. However, one thing is obvious you may be saying to yourself right now that the hospitals could have done first BEFORE putting the creepy cretins on the walls. They could have simply asked their patients what they thought would cheer them up before projecting or guessing.

Stop guessing what your customer wants and instead just ask them, "What is EVERYTHING that you want me to accomplish today?" Furthermore, don't lead them with a closed ended question that influences the outcome of this survey.

You may be surprised to find out that if you shut up and listen that your perception of how you could help your customer is very different from their perception.

Resource: http://www.telegraph.co.uk

About the author: Joe Crisara is CEO of www.ContractorSelling.com a website that helps sales professionals present their solutions to create high value that result in more income, better service and higher closing rates. You can go to the site and receive Joe's FREE SECRET sales tip of the week. Of you can contact Joe by emailing him at joe@contractorselling.com

Copyright 2008, ContractorSelling.com - May be reproduced without change, with proper attribution and brief bio. Notice of when and where article is to appear to joe@contractorselling.com

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