If you are like me, you get vendor calls all the time. Some are expected, but many are not. I want to focus on the ones that are not expected. The term “Cold Call” has been used to define these. My phone just rings and someone is on the line trying to connect me with the best service or product that will transform my organization. Some are timely and you are interested in discussing things. Others are not so timely and you really do not have any initiatives that fit what they are pushing. Here are a few things that I think you need to keep in mind when taking unwanted cold calls.
Tips for taking unwanted Cold Calls:
Be polite. There is no need to get upset or gruff. These people are trying to make a living and deserve your respect. Graciousness is called for.
Be receptive. You never know when you might need something that you have not researched yet. Listen (for a time) to what they have to offer. Get enough information so that you know what they have in mind. Find out what they are providing and be open to new ideas.
Be kind. Cold Calls are tough. Don’t make it harder on the caller. Just be nice, but don’t let them walk all over you.
Take control. Don’t let them ramble on about their new widget forever. Once you have a framework of understanding, move the conversation along. Politely steer them toward a summary. They may try to continue asking questions and probing. Do not offer more than you are comfortable with and let them know that you have no initiatives at this time in their area.
Let them know what the next step is. If you may have in interest in the future, tell them to contact you again in a few months. If you have no interest at all, tell them that you do not have a need for their product at this time. If you already have a solution in place, let them know. Do not provide details on the solution (since you really do not know these folks), just give a quick summary of your current situation. (“We are currently deploying Chromebooks that we purchased from XYZ”)
Ask for info. If you have any interest at all you might ask them to email you their offering. You are providing an email to them, so keep in mind that they now have your phone and email and may hound you later. If they are really pushy, I do not offer this.
Get off the phone. Thank them for their call and get off the phone. Your time is valuable and you need to get back to work.
Simple and to the point. Cordial but focused. Respectful but uninterested. That is the message.
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