DevSomeBiz

Senior B2B Sales Guy.

Would you avoid working with someone based on their political or ideological views?

So, I'm on a call with a junior rep on my team, walking him through how to find good prospects on LinkedIn. We're looking at the posts of a potential lead, and we see that this person has been posting a lot of political stuff about a very charged and polarized subject. The Rep says to me "let's skip this guy, I don't want to see him succeed."

I've known people to pass on projects because of the nature of the business (porn, alcohol, etc.), and I have no problem with that. This was a pass based on the lead's personal beliefs.

If you sell a product that you truly believe will benefit and enrich your client, would you sell it to someone whose beliefs are diametrically opposed to yours, or for that matter, someone who is a Grade A Prick?

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24 comments

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LordOfWar

Tycoon

Blow it up

For me it would depend on a few factors, primarily being:

- How much time do I have to spend directly with the person?
- Is there a risk of their views blowing back on our org?
- Is there an alternative customer I might alienate by working with them?

I closed a big deal with a gov't contractor and one of their high-level execs is a huge trump supporter and posts constantly on LinkedIn about it. I don't deal with him so I don't care, but I find it funny that the guy who is supposed to negotiate contracts with the current government openly supports the guy who claims they stole the election.

The US is weird.

Mobi85

Politicker

Regional Sales Manager

Politics in general in most countries is just crazy as can be. I work hard to stay neutral to just be subjective about stuff and watch the tin-foil hat crazies on both sides lose their damn minds.

LordOfWar

Tycoon

Blow it up

I think most of the world is pretty centrist, but since we're not loud or make for interesting news all you see is the crazies.

SADNES5

Politicker

down voters are marketing spies

As a Canuck south of the border. I just say I can't vote in the US so I'm agnostic.

When they ask about what I think of X up in Canada. I filibuster until they glaze over talking about how the Westminster parliamentary system differs and we have no say in who is the PM just which party represents my riding and the party with the most seats can form a government... This is when they glaze over... Then start into the current minority government and boy do they drop talking politics faaaast.

I don't outright say I support X or Y they just assume when I don't talk bad about X that I'm of the same view as them.

I love sales.

dadasaurus

Opinionated

Enterprise Account Executive

Exactly! Besides, I don’t have to like someone to do business with them!

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

I'd keep every conversation strictly business and ignore the rest. Gotta make that money.

dadasaurus

Opinionated

Enterprise Account Executive

Amen. Make any business decision based on politics and you’ve only set yourself up to fail. It’s sales, we exist to SELL.

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

I've avoided pursuing a business before based on what they do, but haven't had this situation arise.

Angusmacg

Valued Contributor

Territory Account Mgr.

No. Their money is just as good to me as anyone else's...I may not give them as much of a discount tho...

SADNES5

Politicker

down voters are marketing spies

👏👏👏

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

Bravado's Resident Asshole

If they are all in my face about it, no I wouldn't do business with them, but that is in extreme cases. But for the most part, who tf cares about someone's political or ideological views. If what I have helps them, then great, we have something in common. Sorry, but my service isn't going to sway their thoughts on whether red or blue is the right choice or not

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

He may or may not succeed regardless.

His money spends the same.

And unless you are selling him something that will directly harm others, there is no harm. While I personally dislike extremists and would prefer not do deal with idiots, if you're performing a purity test on all your prospects, you'll be wasting your time and walking away from money.

GDO

Politicker

BDM

Nope as long as I get money I don’t care about their politica

SaaSsy

Politicker

I have before and will again. “I’m NOT here to make friends!”
- every reality star ever

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

Rolling 20's all day

Just in general, I'm still going to prospect but I won't be looking to make friends with them.
Business is business, and I personally don't cut either side out of my life.

If someone has strong opinions one way or the other, then that is their right as an American (I'm in America), but it doesn't mean I want to hangout with them. They can still be opinionated and buy my product/service.

HappyGilmore

Politicker

Account Executive

For me I'd keep every conversation possible to business, not straying too much into personal beliefs.

saasbaby

Politicker

SDR

Yes, I would still sell to them. Sales would plummet if you only sold to people you agree with or get along with.

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

I wouldn't focus on that when we are talking.

playerone

Politicker

Regional Account Executive

For me it would depend on how those personal views blend into the company’s views. I already have limitations on certain industries I can sell into so if there’s a company that has had a lot of newsworthy drama, let’s say mypillow, I’d avoid it.

salezkween

Opinionated

Enterprise Account Executive

If I clash with someone’s personal beliefs and know it would be a close working relationship, I ask my leader if I can swap accounts with another rep.

Someone else’s problem

TheKing

Good Citizen

CEO

I've always approached things with the "everyone's money is the same color" attitude. I try to do my best to avoid discussions on politics and religion.

However, there are exceptions. Life is too short to deal with idiots. When I add a client, I make a huge difference in their lives. I am consistently booked two weeks in advance.

I try to make it a point to meet with my clients several times a year. At one of those meetings, my client, a far rightie who drank the Kool-Aid...by the gallons, told me he could solve the immigration crisis at the border (he was one of the gullibles who believed there was a caravan of millions to try to cross illegally).

He told me: "it's simple...every time you want to cross the border, you pay $10,000.00".

At that point, I looked at him and said: "you know something? You're too effing stupid to be my client...you're fired!".

He was stunned...and I never looked back. The plus side of this was when someone else heard about it and they then decided to become a new client. They had far greater assets to work with...and an easier personality, too.

Again, life is too short to work with idiots. Let them bog your competition down instead of you. Your job should be a joy, not a regret.

Irishman

Catalyst

Business Consultant

Are the "people you know" not doing exactly the same thing by not working with businesses in porn or alcohol? Those industries aren't illegal so something must be stopping them from working with them...could it be your/their personal beliefs?

DRuss5

Good Citizen

Account Executive

I’ll sell to anyone. Besides, money they’re paying me, can’t be spent on those stupid red hats

champchamp

Arsonist

Certified Savage

I agree with your rep on this one.

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DevSomeBiz

Would you avoid working with someone based on their political or ideological views?

24 comments

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