“How’s business?” one person asked another at a networking event.
“This economy is still tough. We’ve got people canceling appointments right and left and trying to get people to buy anything just isn’t happening.”
This exchange was real. Although we might agree with some of the sentiments, talking this way can make your personal economy worse. The person who asked, “How’s business?” could have been a prospect. Ouch!
So what’s wrong with telling the truth? Nothing – AS LONG AS YOU CHOOSE WHICH PARTS TO TELL AND HOW TO TELL THEM! No one (I repeat, no one) wants to hear doom and gloom — especially not someone who might want to do business with you.
Could there be anyone worse to share the misery with than a potential client? By even thinking negative thoughts, let alone saying them, you put yourself in a mental state of failure. You subconsciously tell yourself the odds are against you, and you are doomed to fail. Both positive and negative energy are contagious (hmmm, I may not be the first one on this room to share that concept). Regardless, your actions reflect your thoughts and people will detect your outlook. Ask yourself whether you’d rather deal with someone who acts desperate to stay afloat, or someone who is convinced of the benefits of his product or service? From someone who complains about the economy, or from someone who makes any economy work for him and his clients?
Is the error of this person’s ways obvious? Check back for the Answers, i.e. smarter approaches to business communications.
