Why would anyone not answer questions? Why Why Why!
I had a very funny experience over the weekend. I was contacted by someone through LinkedIn who wanted to talk to me. I think it’s great! I love speaking to new people in that you never know who you are going to meet, it could be a big break coming my way, a new client or anything amazing like that.
Most of the time it’s wonderful and in this instance, it was great from a totally different viewpoint.
Great in terms of ‘educational value’ shall we say.
As we spoke over LinkedIn Messenger, they suggested we should speak and gave me their number. It was a fine Sunday afternoon, I was going for a walk and I spoke to them and the conversation started off okay and it took a turn for the worst.
They were trying to sell me their service which was a bit odd considering I just was first talking to them and the conversation went in a really bizarre manner. I could tell what they were doing in that they were trying to force me through a particular ‘conversation path’ with some belief that it would somehow hoodwink me into purchasing.
As it played out, I started asking questions and they just wouldn’t answer them! They would say “I will come back to that, or I can introduce you to someone who can answer that”. It was very evasive actually in that they would make a point or give a recommendation, I ask a question for a justification and they wouldn’t justify it.
I started then not co-operating and the person realised I wasn’t playing ball. I told them straight up I thought there were being evasive and not long after that I ended the conversation as it was just going around in circles. They then contacted me later on over LinkedIn asking for a meeting, hmm I don’t think so!
It was a great learning curve in the sense of watching someone do the opposite to what I do or recommend in selling. If someone asks me a question, I just tell them the answer straight up ASAP. They like it, I like them in that they know they are getting direct answers and what they need to win.
Equally speaking I respect that too, if I have a question – if I get it answered right away my respect for the person goes up.
‘Why don’t people like answering questions directly?’ crossed my mind at the time and my response to that was that they either don’t know what they are talking about or they are playing some kind of sinister game. Either way, someone you must be careful about.
My advice and thinking? When you are selling, always answer questions directly and immediately. People love it and so do I. If you are being sold too, make sure the other side answers your questions. If not, finish up ASAP and move it. Life is too awesome and we are busy winning! Make sure you only work with the right people to keep up those great times.
Love your work, here is to listening, answering questions and of course – stay awesome!
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