Avon

Senior Account Executive

Alternatives to "Does that makes Sense"?

My girlfriend is in a buying role at her job (Fortune 50 company) and says that nothing feels more condescending than when a salesperson says "Does that make sense?". I've also seen posts on linkedin agreeing with the sentiment.

So im trying to eliminate it from my usage. When answering a question, I try to say "Does that answer your question?" but I find myself instinctively wanting to say it when just explaning other things. What are some good alternatives to that phrase?

✍️ Sales advice

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Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

- “Any burning questions here?”
- “What are you thoughts on this?”
- “Was I able to paint a good picture here?”
- “Pausing here to know if I was able to explain this well.”
- “What do you think so far?”
- “Is this what you had in mind?”
- “This can be confusing, so let me know if we need to revisit a particular section here?”

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

I can seeing getting asked "Does this make sense" 20 times throughout a demo can be almost demeaning. Where a buyer would be thinking, I am not an idiot, i understand what this is.

Using those can break it up and take any potential of misinterpreting away

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

True. I don't understand how it's not obvious to everyone that articulation and writing are two of the most important god-damned skills needed to have a fruitful sales career today. Simply blows my mind.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Very much agreed.

aSaaSinator

Good Citizen

Sales Director

So you're saying when I write, "Me explainy, you likey?" that this could be contributing to a lower success rate? Hmmm, interesting...

Avon

Politicker

Senior Account Executive

Good tips, thank you.

Epad

Executive

Snr Business Development Executive

Pausing here one is great! Gonna try that myself, especially as I do have a strong accent

Avon

Politicker

Senior Account Executive

yeah that was my favorite as well

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Depending on context, because I have used "Does that make sense?" when I know there's a good chance we need to go over the topic again in addition to moving the conversation forward:

"Have I explained this to your satisfaction?"

"Is this something you can consider right now?"

"Does this align with your (vision/project/goals)?"

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

Bravado's Resident Asshole

Holy shit. reading this made me think of my last meeting this morning and I said that like 4 times.... I am trying to stop myself from saying it as much.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

This is how we learn - I catch myself overusing phrases all the time. Cure myself of it, move on to the next phrase, wash, rinse, repeat.

BostonHound

Opinionated

Enterprise BDR

even just saying “if that makes sense” seems to be a slight improvement, switches it to trying to validate as equals instead of teaching math to them

Fenderbaum

Politicker

Retired Choirboy🪕

Some would consider it patronizing, but I think it's more of a distraction myself. it's along the lines of when my buddies and I would often start counting the times a manager would utter, "you know" or "you know what I mean?" during a meeting, etc. (I was 24 going on 15, so yes, it was immature). It's a just a bad habit some have to work on.

@Gastyhas great some alternatives, especially #2.

PeopleConnector

SVP

"how does that sound?"
"I think I answered your question/comments about... yes,?" "did that seem about right?"
The goal, obviously, is to get someone to agree with what you're saying and seeing what you're offering is something they need. So, some of this depends upon the conversation. If you keep in mind the end-goal, you won't necessarily need a "does this make sense" phrase, you may find yourself in a more natural conversation. And if you're doing a demo, you might ask "see anything I need to delve into more?" Just so you are presenting what the prospect wants to see (with careful steering, of course so you can answer the question and meet their needs - that you should already know from discovery)

Juancallclose

Catalyst

Director

I always use the Chris Tucker mantra. ''DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE WORDS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF MY MOUTH!?!?!?"

shadrach

Personal Narrative

Account Executive

"How does that compare to what you're doing today?"

SoccerandSales

Big Shot

Account Executive

What are your thoughts on this is always my go to

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

I say "does that make sense" during demos and such, but I sell a very technical product and often receive technical questions. So after I answer a technical question, I will sometimes ask if it makes sense.

Does that make sense? (yah, I know.)

Epad

Executive

Snr Business Development Executive

I catch myself saying this currently but now try to say "how does that look/sound and compare to what you are doing currently for (some very specific activity in their process)"

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

I like to use -

‘are we on the same page?’
‘any questions / confusion?’
‘does it answer your question’
‘any thoughts so far?’

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

"What questions do you have for me?"

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Questions?

SticksAreUnbelievable

Valued Contributor

ADR (Account Development Rep) Sales Representative

I like all these suggestions.

I have noticed a lot more people saying “Right?” It drives me batty and has the same condescending tone of “do you understand?”

Anytime you find yourself using verbal farts such as right? you know? Do you understand? or any variation thereof, step back and remember why you are there.

Always bring questions and engagement back to the problem and how you can solve it.

You know from your discovery what their hot buttons are. When you hit something in your demo that address said hot button, stop, address it as such and make sure you get feedback. “Can you see how this would help you solve blank?”

salesdetroit

Politicker

Director

“Does that align with what you’re seeing?”

I actually catch myself saying “does that make sense” from time to time, and try to spin it into some self-deprecating explanation of how I can sometimes go on a tangent, blah blah blah to offset any potential condescension.

JuicyKlay

Celebrated Contributor

Could you see this making an impact for your team?

TheIncarceration

Politicker

SDR Manager

"Am I making sense?"

Shifts the onus from them to you

saaskicker

Celebrated Contributor

Enterprise AE

Are we barking up the right tree?

TheEnglishMajor

Opinionated

Account Executive

"How is this different than what you're doing today?"
"Are you with me" < I've heard this one as a better suggestion, saying that does that make sense implies some type of diss on their mental capabilities

coletrain

Politicker

Account Executive

"Does that resonate?"

"How does this compare to your current way/workflow?"

"Where do you think this fit in with what you're doing now?"

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Avon

Alternatives to "Does that makes Sense"?

29 comments

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