Don't Make First Impressions Last Impressions

 I read this paragraph recently in a blog and it has haunted me ever since with regard to what those of us who sell goods and services do every day to earn a living.  Read it and then I will tell you what I think.
"It is so true we can only make one first impression, but if we base all that we think of someone on a first impression, we are the ones who lose out.  We never know when someone has had a bad day, or bad news, or bad experience just before we see him or her.  Are they sick and just pressing through because we are that important to them?  We don’t know if their culture dictates certain behavior on a first meeting.  So, be cautious, first impressions may cause us to miss some of the best relationships of our lives."
     In 53 years of selling I have learned that those who deal with my chosen profession are very unforgiving with regard to first impressions.  Are there exceptions?  Right on! But by and large you either make it or break it in the first 20 seconds you stand in front of or speak to a prospective customer on the phone.  What you say means a great deal. It really means almost everything!
     Potential customers have many more potential vendors than most people have potential friends so their level of tolerance is much lower than we are with people we meet casually.  We can forgive a bad day or a bad experience.  Most of our potential customers do not have or take that luxury.
     What you say initially will define whether the conversation goes beyond that or not.
    Do you have a statement that will help insure the conversation continues?
     If you don't you had better get one and it better be compelling!

Wishing You a Prosperous 2013 very limited as to foot in mouth situations,

Dan