Gyro25

Account Executive

Notorious Answer

Acclaimed Answer

What's your experience selling to those who went to ivy league and prestigious institutions?

If you went to an ivy league, this isn't a knock at you, just an observation.

The past few weeks I've called a bunch of VPs and CEOs who went to Harvard, MIT, Cornell, Stanford(I know, not an ivy league) and they've all been some of the rudest people I've spoken to. It's not my first time calling those in the c-suite, but these handful of individuals were so pompous, it's crazy.

One CMO who went to Harvard said "Yeah, I saw your email I wouldn't have associate with a company or salesperson like yourself". Lol wtf? I responded by saying "As a CMO, aren't you In charge of leading the marketing efforts, which in turn are used for salespeople like me to sell?". He hung up on me.

I have no problem with rejection or being told no, but the condescending holier than though attitude isn't something I'm all that familiar with when dealing with those who went to these prestigious institutions.

Any similar experiences or thoughts? Any advice on a strategy when speaking to these individuals or how I can improve?

👑 Sales Strategy

16

24 comments

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poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

10

☕️

The hardest part of Harvard is getting in. The rest is easier than your average state school.

If you are upset at that statement, you probably went to Harvard.

I say it because here's the secret: who fucking cares where you went to school. Your degree doesn't make you any more important, and I frankly do not care who you know or what connections you have. You and I are the same, and I went to school in a dumpster compared to your ivory tower.

Jbeans

Opinionated

1

Director of Sales

Hahaha so true. I used to laugh at the airport at the nexus card holders. Bitch you paid to get in line a few steps ahead of me. Still the same plane bud. Still the same destination. Doesn’t make you better lol

TheNegotiator

Arsonist

1

VP of Sales

It’s not about being better… paying $100 for 5 years of membership, to save HOURS on your feet, that you could be spending being productive, doesn’t make sense to you? . When I travel on business, I’m being paid. My flight, food, hotel, taxi, incidentals, are being paid for. I’m in sales, so I have the capacity to perform, close and get paid even more. . Divide your annual salary by 2000 - that’s your hourly rate. For many of the people in the WR that’s upward of 500, 1000, 1500, PER DAY. If I save an hour a year, on base-pay by itself I just saved $150+ worth of time, and I can spend that theoretically making another $150. Or eating. Or resting. Or decompressing. . Duuude, that a narrow mindset. Nexus is worth every penny and a lot more. Not to mention they just don’t harass you as much, coming or going, or at security.

Jbeans

Opinionated

0

Director of Sales

Well if you’re going to be logical about it? We can’t be friends ;)

Jbeans

Opinionated

1

Director of Sales

And now I kind of want one. Fml. 😒

TheNegotiator

Arsonist

1

VP of Sales

Looool, it’s a steal

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

0

☕️

R e l a x

cw95

Politicker

0

Sales Development Lead

I second this massively!

LordBusiness

Politicker

7

Chief Revenue Officer

I find that assholes have no specific pedigree but represent a solid 10% of the population.

CaneWolf

Politicker

1

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

That number is WAY low.

CoorsKing

WR Officer

5

Retired King of the Coors Knights

They are probably just angry inside that even with daddy’s money, they still were the ones thrown in trash cans. Every person I’ve ever met that went to an Ivy League, with the exception of one, for sure got picked last for everything in their life and they now use their degree as a shield for their insecurity.

1nbatopshotfan

Politicker

3

Sales

A huge thing I’ve noticed in dealing with people like this is that they love to nitpick. So if you send an email and it’s a bit off grammatically or has a mistake they respond and pounce.

I try to focus on being hyper direct and using any in I may have and using the in within sentence 1 or the email subject.

To top it off, in my experience, Ivy League lawyers are even worse to sell to.

A lot of these guys just suck across the board.

paddy

WR Officer

3

Director of Business Development

Every single man who went to one of the schools you named sits down when they pee. So don't worry, I'd be insecure and rude also if I had a tiny fucking dick.

InQ5WeTrust

Arsonist

2

No marketing, mayo isn't an MQL

Hey, I'm only insecure on Tuesdays.. and Wednesdays... And those other funny sounding ones as well.

Jbeans

Opinionated

3

Director of Sales

My boss fancies himself an Ivy Leaguer- then tried to tell me yesterday that we don’t believe in hierarchy at our company - from the deck of his yacht as I’m in my 2 ft cubicle. 👍🏻 sure thing boss 🤣

cw95

Politicker

1

Sales Development Lead

Equivalent in England is Oxford / Cambridge and also Bristol etc. We find it’s just the same as a poly technic. Is it really that prestigious in America in terms of reflection on attitude? Over here apart from the rivalry and jokes, it’s all same same.

friendlyginge

Politicker

1

Account Executive

My first SDR job was at a legal technology company, and my territory was San Francisco. So I was cold calling some high profile litigation lawyers in the Bay Area. Surprisingly, most of them were pretty nice. I think ivy league law school really breaks you down to the point where there is no faking it if you can make it through

CuriousFox

WR Officer

1

🦊

I don't give a damn. That's how I deal with them. They are no better than me. Don't allow people to have power over you. Fuck em.

Sniper

Valued Contributor

1

Enterprise Account Executive

I’ve stride to observe all types of personalities I sell to. The conclusion I have made over years of recorded data on selling to C Levels who have attended a prestigious institution is this - Everyone puts their pants on one leg at a time just like the rest of us. I love your follow up question to what he said about your email. Not everyone is meant to be your customer, but if it were me I would have said something to the tune of (in a English accent) “Thank you Mr. Grey Poupon, would you be so kind and let me know specifically where I fell short in my email? Your candid feedback is valued and appreciated as your opinion matters most.”

Blackwargreymon

Politicker

1

MDR

I find that assholes have no specific pedigree but represent a solid 10% of the population.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

0

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Biggest jerk in Florida last year, pedigree unknown, told my BDR he "didn't talk to people from Washington State", where she was based during the pandemic. WTF.

goose

Politicker

0

Sales Executive

The best part of going to a prestigious school is working with whoever you want. Mostly, people from prestigious schools. I don’t blame them. That’s why they pay huge tuition bills. It’s a club and you aren’t admitted.

signandrecline

Catalyst

0

Enterprise Sales

I've noticed that they're just as clueless (if not more) as the folks I sell to at other Enterprises who didn't go to Ivy League. The only difference is where they went to school, and when you really think about it - it's really meaningless.

I've seen no difference in the way they operate or talk or carry themselves as opposed to execs in the same position as them who didn't go to Ivy League.

I used to put them on a pedestal, and would think "Damn - I get to sell to this guy. It'll be a learning experience and so on and so forth." Far from the truth.

MR.StretchISR

Politicker

0

ISR

As a fellow SDR no. Go to the shame corner. Well, I guess in your case stalin, go to gulag.

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