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Digg it UP - Saying 'No' Gracefully to Customers and Colleagues
A properly prepared business card is one of the business tools many people overlook. For a small investment usually less than $30 for 500 cards you can tell the world that you are and what services you can provide. Your business card is a silent salesperson, so what will it say about you?When planning a card it’s important to consider your message. Your card will be what people reference or use to remember you. It needs to be professional, legible and contain the necessary information. Some exceptions would be a humorous card if you were a clown or a comedian and a juvenile ca
-- If you're not sure, it's always OK to ask for more time to think it over!
4. Practice your new skill:
-- Rehearse ahead of time if you think it will help. Role play with your business coach or a friend or colleague.
-- Choose a low-risk situation first. Practice on your significant other, family, friends. Or practice on strangers, if that's easier for you: the salesclerk who wants to sell you one more thing, the telemarketer calling at dinner.
-- Work your way up to friendly clients. They are likely to appreciate the boundaries you are setting!
-- When you have the courage to fire that client who hasn't paid and makes unreasonable demands-you'll know you've mastered saying "NO!" (Hint: refer them to someone else that is a better fit and help manage the transition!)
Saying "n
When is the last time you worked on a day or evening that you had set aside to do something with your family and went to an appointment or party instead? How did you feel when you were there? Did you feel a little angry for letting the people who are most important in your life down? It's not a great feeling is it?One of the most important things I took into consideration when I was beginning my job in Direct Sales was that I needed something that I could work around my family and other obligations. It would be a lot different from what I was accustomed to which was working my
You: “Well, I don’t think I’d have enough time to prepare. I’m awfully sorry—I wish I could help you!”
Chris: “Your last speech was super—maybe you could just talk some more about that topic? I’d really appreciate it!”
You: “I’m glad you liked it--maybe I could do it…
Chris: “Oh that would be great! Just let me know the title…” ...fade
How might you feel about doing this speech? You might feel stressed or resentful. You might not be at your best when you do the speech. Other work that you’d really like to be doing might suffer.
Now imagine a different response:
You: ”No, I can’t be prepared on such short notice. I know how hard it is to find someone—Alex speaks on a variety of topics and I think she could fill in for you. I’ll give you her number.”
Chris: “Thanks! That will really help.”
This is a win-win-win: Alex gets an opportunity to speak (her specialty), Chris gets a speaker, and you aren’t saddled with a commitment you don’t want--plus, you’ve probably earned some good will from both Alex and Chris. What a difference!
Whether you are saying no to a collaborator asking you to do something, or saying no to a potential client that you really don’t want to have, the ability to say no gracefully is a key skill when you are in business as a solo entrepreneur. Here are four quick steps to learning this skill:
1. Understand the reasons you say "yes", even when you don't really want to. Here are some common reasons; which ones apply to you?
-- You want to please people; you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.
-- The customer is always right, you can't say no to the customer!
-- It's not polite to say no; if you say no you feel you are being self-centered.
-- You are flattered by the request.
-- You feel like you need the business!
-- You can't think of a nice way to say no fast enough.
--You think there might be other unforeseen negative consequences if you say no.
2. Recognize the good things that can come out of saying "no":
-- You have more opportunities to say "yes" to the right customer.
-- You have more time to do the things you *want* to do.
-- Saying no expresses how you *really* feel. You are taking responsibility for your own feelings and letting others take responsibility for theirs.
-- Someone else who really wants this customer's business, has a chance to get it
3. Learn how to say "no" gracefully:
-- "No, I can't do that." Don't beat around the bush-put "no" right upfront.
-- Use non-verbal cues to underscore the "no"-shake your head; use a firm and direct voice, use eye-contact.
-- Add an explanation if you want, but don't apologize: "I have another commitment." - even if that commitment is to yourself!
-- Be empathetic if the situation calls for it: "I know how hard it is to find a tax-preparer at this time of year."
-- Recommend an alternative if one is available: "Let me refer you to..."
-- If you're not sure, it's always OK to ask for more time to think it over!
4. Practice your new skill:
-- Rehearse ahead of time if you think it will help. Role play with your business coach or a friend or colleague.
-- Choose a low-risk situation first. Practice on your significant other, family, friends. Or practice on strangers, if that's easier for you: the salesclerk who wants to sell you one more thing, the telemarketer calling at dinner.
-- Work your way up to friendly clients. They are likely to appreciate the boundaries you are setting!
-- When you have the courage to fire that client who hasn't paid and makes unreasonable demands-you'll know you've mastered saying "NO!" (Hint: refer them to someone else that is a better fit and help manage the transition!)
Saying "no
Association is a powerful tool in helping you influence and persuade your audience. If used correctly, you will be able to create the desired feelings, emotions, and behavior in your prospects. It is in this way that you can use association to bring about the best experiences and create a persuasive environment. Whatever your subject is drawn to, impressed by, or desirous of, seek to incorporate it into your message, your product, or your service.The Law of Association is constantly at work. If an audience likes a picture, a logo, or a musical jingle tha
Now imagine a different response:
You: ”No, I can’t be prepared on such short notice. I know how hard it is to find someone—Alex speaks on a variety of topics and I think she could fill in for you. I’ll give you her number.”
Chris: “Thanks! That will really help.”
This is a win-win-win: Alex gets an opportunity to speak (her specialty), Chris gets a speaker, and you aren’t saddled with a commitment you don’t want--plus, you’ve probably earned some good will from both Alex and Chris. What a difference!
Whether you are saying no to a collaborator asking you to do something, or saying no to a potential client that you really don’t want to have, the ability to say no gracefully is a key skill when you are in business as a solo entrepreneur. Here are four quick steps to learning this skill:
1. Understand the reasons you say "yes", even when you don't really want to. Here are some common reasons; which ones apply to you?
-- You want to please people; you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.
-- The customer is always right, you can't say no to the customer!
-- It's not polite to say no; if you say no you feel you are being self-centered.
-- You are flattered by the request.
-- You feel like you need the business!
-- You can't think of a nice way to say no fast enough.
--You think there might be other unforeseen negative consequences if you say no.
2. Recognize the good things that can come out of saying "no":
-- You have more opportunities to say "yes" to the right customer.
-- You have more time to do the things you *want* to do.
-- Saying no expresses how you *really* feel. You are taking responsibility for your own feelings and letting others take responsibility for theirs.
-- Someone else who really wants this customer's business, has a chance to get it
3. Learn how to say "no" gracefully:
-- "No, I can't do that." Don't beat around the bush-put "no" right upfront.
-- Use non-verbal cues to underscore the "no"-shake your head; use a firm and direct voice, use eye-contact.
-- Add an explanation if you want, but don't apologize: "I have another commitment." - even if that commitment is to yourself!
-- Be empathetic if the situation calls for it: "I know how hard it is to find a tax-preparer at this time of year."
-- Recommend an alternative if one is available: "Let me refer you to..."
-- If you're not sure, it's always OK to ask for more time to think it over!
4. Practice your new skill:
-- Rehearse ahead of time if you think it will help. Role play with your business coach or a friend or colleague.
-- Choose a low-risk situation first. Practice on your significant other, family, friends. Or practice on strangers, if that's easier for you: the salesclerk who wants to sell you one more thing, the telemarketer calling at dinner.
-- Work your way up to friendly clients. They are likely to appreciate the boundaries you are setting!
-- When you have the courage to fire that client who hasn't paid and makes unreasonable demands-you'll know you've mastered saying "NO!" (Hint: refer them to someone else that is a better fit and help manage the transition!)
Saying "n
I’m about to tell you something that you already know. This something that I’m about to reveal to you is also something that each of us may have used at one time or another, we know that it works, but we don’t use it all the time. I guess you could say that we are not consistent about using this something. Why would we know something, use it, know that it works, but don’t use it all the time? That’s easy, we forget. And sometimes, we need someone to remind us how important this something is and that is the purpose of this article today.What is this something? This “something” i
1. Understand the reasons you say "yes", even when you don't really want to. Here are some common reasons; which ones apply to you?
-- You want to please people; you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.
-- The customer is always right, you can't say no to the customer!
-- It's not polite to say no; if you say no you feel you are being self-centered.
-- You are flattered by the request.
-- You feel like you need the business!
-- You can't think of a nice way to say no fast enough.
--You think there might be other unforeseen negative consequences if you say no.
2. Recognize the good things that can come out of saying "no":
-- You have more opportunities to say "yes" to the right customer.
-- You have more time to do the things you *want* to do.
-- Saying no expresses how you *really* feel. You are taking responsibility for your own feelings and letting others take responsibility for theirs.
-- Someone else who really wants this customer's business, has a chance to get it
3. Learn how to say "no" gracefully:
-- "No, I can't do that." Don't beat around the bush-put "no" right upfront.
-- Use non-verbal cues to underscore the "no"-shake your head; use a firm and direct voice, use eye-contact.
-- Add an explanation if you want, but don't apologize: "I have another commitment." - even if that commitment is to yourself!
-- Be empathetic if the situation calls for it: "I know how hard it is to find a tax-preparer at this time of year."
-- Recommend an alternative if one is available: "Let me refer you to..."
-- If you're not sure, it's always OK to ask for more time to think it over!
4. Practice your new skill:
-- Rehearse ahead of time if you think it will help. Role play with your business coach or a friend or colleague.
-- Choose a low-risk situation first. Practice on your significant other, family, friends. Or practice on strangers, if that's easier for you: the salesclerk who wants to sell you one more thing, the telemarketer calling at dinner.
-- Work your way up to friendly clients. They are likely to appreciate the boundaries you are setting!
-- When you have the courage to fire that client who hasn't paid and makes unreasonable demands-you'll know you've mastered saying "NO!" (Hint: refer them to someone else that is a better fit and help manage the transition!)
Saying "n
WHEN ONLY A LECTURE WILL DO: Under certain circumstances, of course, the lecture is the only workable format. For instance, when it is necessary to reach a large audience in a short time frame, or when the attendees have no knowledge of the subject whatsoever, there is really no choice. But whenever possible, alternative methods should be investigated. If you choose to rely solely on lectures, be aware that you do so for your own convenience and comfort, rather than for the effectiveness of the training. Abandoning the lecture format for that of group discussion requires that the trai
-- Saying no expresses how you *really* feel. You are taking responsibility for your own feelings and letting others take responsibility for theirs.
-- Someone else who really wants this customer's business, has a chance to get it
3. Learn how to say "no" gracefully:
-- "No, I can't do that." Don't beat around the bush-put "no" right upfront.
-- Use non-verbal cues to underscore the "no"-shake your head; use a firm and direct voice, use eye-contact.
-- Add an explanation if you want, but don't apologize: "I have another commitment." - even if that commitment is to yourself!
-- Be empathetic if the situation calls for it: "I know how hard it is to find a tax-preparer at this time of year."
-- Recommend an alternative if one is available: "Let me refer you to..."
-- If you're not sure, it's always OK to ask for more time to think it over!
4. Practice your new skill:
-- Rehearse ahead of time if you think it will help. Role play with your business coach or a friend or colleague.
-- Choose a low-risk situation first. Practice on your significant other, family, friends. Or practice on strangers, if that's easier for you: the salesclerk who wants to sell you one more thing, the telemarketer calling at dinner.
-- Work your way up to friendly clients. They are likely to appreciate the boundaries you are setting!
-- When you have the courage to fire that client who hasn't paid and makes unreasonable demands-you'll know you've mastered saying "NO!" (Hint: refer them to someone else that is a better fit and help manage the transition!)
Saying "n
What does it mean to be a passive candidate?In the recruitment world, recruiters and hiring managers use the term “passive candidate” to describe someone who is not actively looking for a job.A passive candidate is typically someone who isn’t looking for a new job but who would (or might) consider a good opportunity if one arose.This is opposed to being an active candidate, someone who is actively searching for a new job.Many in the recruitment world talk about how a passive candidate is preferable to an active candidate. Many of them argue about the
-- If you're not sure, it's always OK to ask for more time to think it over!
4. Practice your new skill:
-- Rehearse ahead of time if you think it will help. Role play with your business coach or a friend or colleague.
-- Choose a low-risk situation first. Practice on your significant other, family, friends. Or practice on strangers, if that's easier for you: the salesclerk who wants to sell you one more thing, the telemarketer calling at dinner.
-- Work your way up to friendly clients. They are likely to appreciate the boundaries you are setting!
-- When you have the courage to fire that client who hasn't paid and makes unreasonable demands-you'll know you've mastered saying "NO!" (Hint: refer them to someone else that is a better fit and help manage the transition!)
Saying "no" gives you freedom. It is a way of honoring both yourself and the person you are saying "no" to. Learn to do it well, and you will earn the respect of others--and yourself!
Copyright 2004, Terri Zwierzynski, Accel Innovation, Inc.
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Just Say NO to Generic Resumes
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