Great rapport builder since everyone has an opinion? No, never talk politics.
NeildeSaaSTyson
Talking about the Vaccine as a rapport builder?
3
You can talk politics...just make sure you let your prospect speak first and that you somehow have the exact same views as them!ย
YES! This is key. Don't be opinionated with the prospect, your views are their views. prospect is always right hahaha
I would argue it's inappropriate to discuss and almost as bad as discussing politics on a sales call!ย ย What happened to the days of keeping those opinions to yourself?
That being said, we all have to work and the customer is always correct (per SalesAssassin's point)
That being said, we all have to work and the customer is always correct (per SalesAssassin's point)
I'd never bring it up first, but if the prospect brings it up are you really going to tell them you find that topic inappropriate/have no comment? Pretty great way to make them feel awkward and destroy rapport.ย
I don't agree. ย I've seen peers agree with a prospect only to be used as an "ally" in a conversation with a co-worker. ย
See, Mike... ย the sales person agrees with me...
Could put you in a bad decision. ย Leave politics to twitter.
See, Mike... ย the sales person agrees with me...
Could put you in a bad decision. ย Leave politics to twitter.
The key is to not take a stance until you're aware of your prospect's stance. If you don't know where everybody stands, you say something neutral.ย
Yeah can get kinda awkward if someone gets on their soapbox for either side of the issue.ย ย
That would be a deal breaker
sure beats the weather though.ย ย But naturally like some Salespeople that struggle with building real rapport they turn themselves into weather experts, meteorologists really,ย ย have to avoid becoming too social media scientist when it comes to vaccines
There is a line there no matter what the topic lol
I'm sure you can come up with something better than the vaccine haha
"awfully chilly out for April, isn't it?"
DH or no DH?
Are you building rapport over the phone, email, facetime, all of them?
Phone: Always good to ask people questions about themselves. Find out where they are and do a little research on a current event in their area. People love talking about themselves and if you show interest in them and their area it's a win-win.
Email: I like to use a joke in one of my emails. We are all just people with the same problems. Lighten up the tension and find a common ground. Laughter is a common ground. I like to crack a joke about why they may not be replying.ย
Facetime/zoom: Ask them about their background. Never bring attention to them as a person. Plastic surgeries have skyrocketed since the business' went virtual. People put a lot of thought into their background, ask them about it. If they keep their video off, treat it like you would a phone call.
Phone: Always good to ask people questions about themselves. Find out where they are and do a little research on a current event in their area. People love talking about themselves and if you show interest in them and their area it's a win-win.
Email: I like to use a joke in one of my emails. We are all just people with the same problems. Lighten up the tension and find a common ground. Laughter is a common ground. I like to crack a joke about why they may not be replying.ย
Facetime/zoom: Ask them about their background. Never bring attention to them as a person. Plastic surgeries have skyrocketed since the business' went virtual. People put a lot of thought into their background, ask them about it. If they keep their video off, treat it like you would a phone call.
I've talked about how excited I am to get mine, it gets people talking for sure and I would say works really well for rapport. Everyone wants to get back to normal
I work a lot of coworkers in the South and I feel uncomfortable bringing up the vaccine with them
Rapport building is so different for someone who isn't culturally connected with US, haha!ย
I have an Indian name (obviously). My most successful icebreaker is, "I'm going to address the elephant in the room and tell you what my name sounds like and I'm happy to let you come up with your own version" lol
I have an Indian name (obviously). My most successful icebreaker is, "I'm going to address the elephant in the room and tell you what my name sounds like and I'm happy to let you come up with your own version" lol
Personally I would stay away from anything politically charged or super polarizing - especially now since there are often (always?) multiple people you're dealing with for an opportunity, more likely someone going to feel awkward/alienated by topics like those.ย
I keep neutralย
Related posts
Members only
Is it appropriate to use meme's for driving deals forward?
46%
Yes - need more meme's
23%
No - keep it professional
31%
Depends on the prospect/industry
188 people voted
19 comments