Does that make sense? - POLL

I’ve seen so many people say how it sucks to say, “Does that make sense?” after you’ve explained something.


I personally have no issues with it when someone asks me that. I believed they’re empathetic and are trying to understand if I’m following them. However with so many people taking offence to it, i stopped using the phrase. I now say, “how do you imagine that working in your current setting?” Or “does this resonate with your team too?”.

Are you offended when someone says, “Does that make sense?”

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😎 Sales Skills
21
CadenceCombat
Tycoon
7
Account Executive
I’ve never run into any issues saying this. Most people understand that its just to confirm alignment and isn’t meant to be condescending.
ARRisLife
Politicker
6
Account Executive
I've seen all the hubbub about this on linkedin ect. I think it's less about offending people but more the psychological aspects of the question. I think what they're getting at is when you frame it as 'does this make sense?' The recipient is more apt to say yes because they don't want to admit that it might have been over their head or they need it broken down further (Barney style lol).  I've thought a lot about it and although I have no idea what the data is or if there is any data behind it, I'm all for shifting the context of the question and making it about my ability to explain something.  Even if there's a 1% chance they might fall in that category of not wanting to press the issue.


My go to lines are: "Did I explain that well enough?"  If they had a follow up question, "does that help clarify?"

Little bit of semantics but I'll take all the help I can get.
Savagedoge
Tycoon
1
Account Executive
I definitely see that happening, sure. That’s a fair reason to give it a different twist. Appreciate the take and the username💵
BigCheese
Notorious Answer
0
Agency Recruiter
Interesting take. Makes a lot of sense! I've definitely been that guy to confirm that I understood when I understood nothing.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
🦊
I'm not offended by this either. It actually snaps me back in a conversation if I've faded out a little.
IzzyWinning
Tycoon
3
Enterprise Account Executive
It's not something to get offended by but I agree there are better ways to frame the question you're really asking. Does that make sense? 
Savagedoge
Tycoon
3
Account Executive
What would you rather ask? 
I see what you did there🍻
IzzyWinning
Tycoon
1
Enterprise Account Executive
I like "Where do you see this fitting into your day?" or "How can you see this impacting x,y,z challenge we've been discussing" or "Do you think this shade of blue brings out my eyes?" Well, you get the idea. 
Soiboi
Politicker
2
Account Executive, EIAS/Compliance
Don't not say something because it doesn't work for someone else. If it works for you then keep going....

For instance everyone hates, here's x minutes back for you but I think it's a meme and hilarious so I keep doing it. 
ATX
Good Citizen
2
ENT Sales / Risk Management
The "does that make sense" or "do you have any questions" has always felt like a low impact question that keeps a conversation closed ended. 

"Does that make sense" - "yes" 
"Do you have any questions" - "not right now" 

Would much rather reword to keep it open ended and conversational. 

I don't think they're bad or rude questions...just not maximizing the time you have with a prospect 
Salespreuner
Big Shot
0
Regional Sales Director
True that! Thanks for the insight
Selichimorpha
Celebrated Contributor
1
Growth Executive
I always add something else like "Does that make sense? I know it's a lot to take in." 
or 
"does that make sense? I know we ran through that pretty quickly." 
Savagedoge
Tycoon
0
Account Executive
I like that tactic. Have you encountered anyone who’s gotten visibly annoyed or offended when you say this?
Selichimorpha
Celebrated Contributor
0
Growth Executive
Not really, even when I'm working with VPs and C-suite. 

To be fair though the products I sell are VERY data heavy so it actually is a lot to take in and there are a lot of factors that need to be spelled out on demos so the question is pretty warranted. 
Savagedoge
Tycoon
0
Account Executive
Gotcha. I guess it’s stupid if I say something like, an orange is orange in colour and then ask if that made sense, haha. 
Gotta make that judgement
Selichimorpha
Celebrated Contributor
1
Growth Executive
I mean, there are some POCs that still wouldnt get it if you told them the sky was blue lol
Savagedoge
Tycoon
0
Account Executive
I hear ya, and I’ve seen these POC’s hahaha
Savagedoge
Tycoon
1
Account Executive
I’m going to be posting screenshots of this thread on LinkedIn if the current trend continues. I can’t believe the number of people who complain about this and how many more people jump on the bandwagon😳
Hotlead
Politicker
1
Producer
It is not rude whatsoever, you are touching base with the prospect to make sure you are on the same page or if you lost them along the way, keep using this or something along the lines.
Scannon
Good Citizen
1
Sr. AE
I think it is courteous to ask and also helps transition to your next subject/product.  

If someone is offended, it's probably because they didn't understand and are not comfortable asking for the presenter to go further in-depth on the topic.
SlanginCyberSec
Valued Contributor
1
Account Executive
It's more about how you say it. I say it pretty often and never got someone offended. 

Everything can sound condescending if you say it condescendingly, buddy.
JDialz
Politicker
1
Chief Operating Officer
Never have I ever considered that this could be offensive in any way.

If somebody is telling me something and asks me that, it signals to me that they are open to feedback and that it's important to them that they did a good job of laying everything out.

That's my intention when I ask that question too.
Salespreuner
Big Shot
0
Regional Sales Director
You're so right!
Fenderbaum
Politicker
1
Retired Choirboy🪕
I knew a guy that said that every thirty seconds to everyone he talked to... not offended, but amazed that someone would say it out of habit that often.
Blackwargreymon
Politicker
1
MDR
I'm not offended by this either. It actually snaps me back in a conversation if I've faded out a little.
Smithy
Politicker
0
Director of Sales
I get that it's a silly phrase, but offensive? get in the bin
AboutThatSalesLife
Praised Answer
0
Director of Sales
I can’t believe this is even a topic. People really get offended when you’re confirming that they are following what you’re saying? If it’s something COMPLETELY obvious I guess I’d get it. “Hey the sky is blue. Does that make sense?” But other then that...nah bruh. 
LordBusiness
Politicker
0
Chief Revenue Officer
I’m not personally offended, but I don’t believe this question brings any value to the discover call. I said it for years and It took me a serious conscious  effort to train it out of my vocabulary. 
chef
Fire Starter
0
Manager, Enterprise Sales
I've read and heard that it can offend people but think that's a bit of a stretch. THAT SAID, that used to be my filler sentence. I've very consciously switched to asking an open-ended conversation starting question instead everytime I'm about to drop my old "does that make sense". This one change has completely changed the dialogue in my conversations. Those moments that used to be quick validation, are now when I get my best discovery and pain.
MajorB
WR Lieutenant
0
AE
It’s not offensive, but I think it becomes a filler for “I know I should be asking a question here soooo...”

Your first replacement question is better because it helps you understand if you’re on track, and it gives you ammo later on the sales process to help you ask for the prospects business. 
AnchorPoint
Politicker
0
Business Coach
I use it all the time and have never had an issue... like most things, delivery is important.  I typically phrase it to be understood "am I making sense?"
JuicyKlay
Celebrated Contributor
0
AM
I try to mix in some "Are you following?" as well
goose
Politicker
0
Sales Executive
I'm less offended by the question and more offended that someone would use a close-ended question in this situation.  Your "how do you imagine..." question is way more useful.  "Does that make sense" lets the prospect off the hook.
MsTech
Executive
0
Business Development Executive
Don't mind hearing it as long as it's sincere. If it's a conversation crutch then my eyes start rolling....
MR.StretchISR
Politicker
0
ISR
I like the chill vibes music, very hard to time some of the talks though i.m.o
Error32
Politicker
0
ISR
Honestly it depends on what you’re hoping for
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