Yesterday’s blog post was about change, and so I want to stay with that theme today. CHANGE. We can count on it, right? Changes in buying habits, changes in industry, changes in credit, changes in seasons, changes in price points, changes in advertising media, changes, changes, changes.
Sometimes, we’re so focused on WHAT’s CHANGING or what WE CAN CHANGE that we FORGET what remains largely unchanged: People.
People are a constant in your business. And people — at our core — don’t really change. Not in the following ways, at least:
- People still want connection. (But we insists on building only “contacts.”)
- People still want to be cared for.
- People still want great service. (Yet, we feel “forced” to cut our prices and resent them for it. Service goes out the window.)
- People still want to be recognized. (But, we’re so busy blowing our own smoke, it’s hard to notice what someone else is doing so well.)
- People still want to be heard and understood. (Of course, we’re so intent on BEING heard, we hardly ever listen… ESPECIALLY in sales.)
While I’m at it, let me keep going with some negatives. People (STILL) detest:
- Hearing your one-way, unsolicited marketing pitch, and
- Being herded and treated as a “list,” and
- Being treated as dummies. (Umm.. we’ve caught up with all of your marketing ploys that insult our intelligence.) and
- Falling victim to a bait & switch coffee experience… you know, where it’s supposed to be catching up but it’s REALLY about joining your “team” or becoming your client; and
- Being ripped off, lied to, cheated and betrayed.
We STILL hate all of these things. If an exception exists, I’m not aware of them by name. But, please know that success — yours and mine — depends on our willingness to KNOW & GENUINELY CARE FOR PEOPLE.
That’s the constant. It’s a “business truth” you can’t out-hype.
PEOPLE.
Get curious about them. And get caring for them.
