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Trustworthiness
Written by: Jim MeisenheimerArticle Overview: It pays to be on time. Don't keep your customers waiting - learn why here.
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Trustworthiness
Sometimes I just want to scream.
I go ballistic when somebody sets an appointment and shows up late.
It happened again last week.
We hired a young man to do some painting for us.
It's not a big job, doesn't require a lot of talent, and we thought of this person because he's currently unemployed.
Everyday we asked him "What time will you be here tomorrow?" The first three days he was late and I was furious. He told Bernadette, my wife, he would show up at 8:30 the next morning. In fact, he showed up 10:30.
When he shows up, he gives me his alibi Ike story - all the reasons why he was late. How could he ever be on time, when he's not even wearing a watch - I wondered.
So without resorting to my in-your-face NYC style, I pointed out to him I was disappointed in his inability to show up on time.
I asked him "What time can you be here tomorrow?" He said, 9:30. Then I said - okay and added, "If you're one of minute late you're fired."
The next morning 9:30 comes and goes. At 10:15 he calls and tells Bernadette the reason he's
late is because he had to stop at Home Depot - to pick up something.
Lucky for him, Bernadette answered the phone. So for the next two days, Bernadette simply told him to show up whenever he could.
I understand that not everybody is like me. I like to be on time, in fact I like to be early to avoid being late.
Here's a big sales tip for all entrepreneurs and professional salespeople. You have to earn the designation "Trustworthiness" from your sales prospects and customers.
The word "Trustworthiness" means worthy of trust. It means dependable. It means reliable.
It means you "Mean what you say" and "Say what you mean."
It's not always possible to be on time - I realize that. But I recommend, even if you're going to be only five minutes late, call your sales prospect / customer and tell them you're going to be five minutes late.
Cell phones make this a no-brainer for you.
It shows you respect their time.
It shows you care!
It shows you're dependable!
It shows you're reliable!
We are in a recession and little things can make a big difference when choosing a product and/or a supplier.
Always try to be early. If you can't be on time - always call! Doing this will differentiate you from most of your competitors.
Today is Monday and two different service people are late for appointments they committed to.
It makes me want to scream.
It pays to be on time and it pays even more to be perceived as trustworthy.
Article Tags: alibi ike, appointment, brainer, cell phones, designation, five minutes, home depot, job, next morning, painting, professional salespeople, sales prospect, sales prospects, sales tip, trustworthiness, young man
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About the Author: Jim Meisenheimer RSS for Jim's articles - Visit Jim's website
Jim Meisenheimer publishes the Start Selling More Newsletter. The focus is on common sense sales tips and selling strategies based on practical ideas that get you immediate results. You can get more information and sign-up for my FREE Newsletter at http://www.startsellingmore.com Discover the 12 Best Sales Questions To Ask Customers. When you ask these sales questions, you won't be selling you'll be solving your customer's problems. You'll close more sales when you ask these 12 clever sales questions. And your sales will take-off! Go here now: http://meisenheimer.com/products/salesquestions.htm Click here to visit Jim's website What Makes Your Customers Wince The Ultimate Time Management Tip Sales Planning Basics The 2 Biggest Mistakes Salespeople Make And How to Avoid Making Them 4 More Ways To Outsell Your Competitors |
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