MagicMethod Phone Sourcing Classroom Chat Log Tuesday, June 9, 2009

[Maureen Sharib]

MaureenSharib "I'm 'Lois' and you are a BIT** calling in here asking to speak with different people."
MaureenSharib That’s today’s subject and you can read the whole thing before class starts:
"Today I called into a vendor that provides software services for a niche market (ex. of niche markets include healthcare, education, retail, etc) and spoke with their receptionist "Lois". I politely asked if I could be forwarded to their strategic alliances or sales team. She put me on hold came back a few minutes later asking what region of the country I let her know I was located in the midwest. She then said that she can't give out contact information for a sales rep (Strange...) and she would have to take my information and someone would get back to me in a few days. (again strange such a delay if you are trying to sell a product) I let her know that I often end up getting bounced back to strategic alliances from sales reps and asked if I could speak with whoever handled that if they were in the office, vs waiting a few days to get a response for a client that I am working with that is ready to buy something ASAP. She then replied "Just who are you!" I told her my name, my title, my company name and explained a bit about what I do. I then said - is there anyone in Customer Service or anything that can just answer a few questions I have on the product and was told "not for you". At this point, I was a bit appalled (it gets better) because it had been a normal calm discussion over 45-60 seconds to this point. I then asked her for her name aftet that comment and was responded back "I'm 'Lois' and you are a BIT** calling in here asking to speak with different people. You heard me a BIT**." At this point my jaw literally hit the floor!!! I said excuse me, I am just trying to get information to purchase this product - I am working with5 clients who fit in your market. She again called me a B**ch and offered to forward me to the CEO who she was certain "may" respond today." ~ SW
******
MaureenSharib Welcome everyone to today's MagicMethod Phone Sourcing Class! Have you all read the Blog Post above? That will be today's class subject. Your thoughts on how to handle hostile Gatekeeper events like these will be appreciated in class.
JanMuir (guest) Hi Everyone I would say that I have been personally recommended to speak to these people and that it is a private business matter. Sorry I'm new to this chat so still figuring it out. But I am responding to Gatekeeper Lois.
MaureenSharib "What private matter, may I ask?" she says. Then what do you say?
JanMuir (guest) if she persists then I would ask to be put through to their voicemail.I would say that the private matter is confidential
Animal She wouldn't put you thru Jan
MaureenSharib Let's assume Lois is really hostile - do you think she'd put you thru to a VoiceMail after the exchange you two had?

This classroom episode has been removed to the "Magic In the Method" courseware site. If you were a participant in this class discussion and would like a complimentary copy of the chat, email me - maureen @techtrak.com and I will email the class to you. Please include the date of the class you'd like to receive and your participating User Name. Without the class date I will not be able to locate the class for you.
******
If you like what you just read and want to learn more about telephone names sourcing, consider taking the only-of-its-kind seminal course available on the subject. MagicMethod is brimming with information like this and will show you the inside tips and techniques of true telephone names sourcers! Subscribe today here.