It’s funny, since I changed my job about 18 months ago, I keep getting people phoning to try to sell me stuff at work. There’s only a small change in my title but yet it’s inspired countless people to try to get me to buy their wares.
Today, I had the most bizarre of calls. A man phoned me and introduced himself….let’s call him Arthur Ramsbottom for the sake of his anonymity – I’m sure he wouldn’t want this conversation attributed to his real name for reasons that will become clear. So, picture the scene (it’s the second time in a few days I’ve asked that of you I know but believe me it’ll be worth it). I’m sat at my desk this afternoon after spending the morning with a client. My phone rings.
‘Hello Linda (that bugs me for a start – he doesn’t know me), I’m Arthur Ramsbottom, we spoke a while ago do you remember?’
(me)‘Er, well no, actually, I’m afraid I don’t. What did you call in connection with?’
‘You MUST remember me, Arthur Ramsbottom.’
(me)‘I’m very sorry – can you tell me what we spoke about?’
‘Well, you had this thingy – erm, you remember, an article thingy.’
(me)‘What sort of article? One I’d written or one I’d read?’
‘Umm I’m not sure’
(me)‘Can I ask you why you’ve called me today?’
‘Well because I have something you want to buy.’
(me)‘Oh – what’s that then?’
‘Well, I’m not sure – can’t you remember what I called about to try to sell you a few months ago?’
‘No’
‘Well look, you must remember what it was, I’m Arthur Ramsbottom, you must remember?’
‘no’
‘Are you sure you can’t remember me trying to sell you something?’
(me) ‘No, sorry.’
‘But you must be able to, it was something about an article or something….’
(me)‘I’m sorry, can you get to the point, I’m busy’
‘Well look, if you can’t remember what I tried to sell you, it’s your loss. If you have a think about it and remember what it was that I’ve got that you might want to buy, can you give me a ring back?’
(me)’OK’ (by this time I was desperate to get this guy off the phone).
‘Do you want my phone number?’
‘Er actually, I don’t think I need it do you? Goodbye.’
How strange is that? I really have no recollection of the original call and no recollection of the man’s name. But the really odd thing was his insistence that even though he couldn’t remember what he was trying to sell me, I must want it and would want it so badly I’d phone him back for it.
I’ve been through all the sales training there is – need satisfaction selling, account development strategies (all the sales folks who look at this will know the titles of these Xerox courses), negotiating to win-win….etc etc and no-where in all of that training was phoning someone and rambling on at them about how much they need the thing you’re selling but you can’t quite remember what.
It was one of those weird moments when you are having one half of a conversation and you realise the other person in the conversation is talking about life on Mars!!!