Recently while facilitating a unique Networking Meeting in New York City, with the goal of engaging the group of twenty business people at a deeper level, here are the questions asked by me and some of the conversation which took place.
“Politics today, we cannot seem to get away from it or get enough of it. Here is the question and please do your best not to make this a discussion about politics itself and your views on Left or Right or Democrat or Republican – in your business and your interaction with clients / customers are you finding it is more difficult to close business because people in general are more distracted than usual because of politics and the news and what is going on in the media?”
( Edited Comment Samples From The Group )
- I find, more than ever, I have to hide or keep politics out of the conversation for fear of alienating a customer or potential customer.
- People are more distracted. I am way more distracted! A news flash comes up on my iphone and the next thing I know two hours went right by.
- I have my political point of view and I do not hide it and I am not ashamed of it. In my business most of my clients are in the NY Metro Area. This area mostly, like 80% or more, voted for and votes for Democrats. My point of view is the people who won’t work with me because they don’t like my politics will be more than offset by those who will work with me because of my politics.
“Changing this up a bit now…in closing a business transaction if you are getting push back on price, would you lower your price or would you hold your price and adjust the deliverable or the services offered?”
- My goal is to learn exactly what the company needs and see how I may provide it to them at a price they can afford.
- I ask them what their budget is and see how to make it work for both of us.
- My business is providing a service. This is valuable and needed by most business owners of all sizes. My price is my price. If I lower my price it says a lot about me, my brand and how I value my services. The question and the focus must go back to the client, to the customer – what will the value be to you and your business when we resolve the issues that we will be addressing?
The conversations went on for a good amount of time in our 90 minute networking meeting. The meeting includes food and beverages. If you live and work in the New York Metro area or are planning to visit contact me if you would like to attend one of our meetings. Click here.
Mitch Tublin runs a boutique consulting firm located in Stamford, CT. Serving clients all over the world their main focus is on leadership development, executive coaching and business advisory services.
WANT TO SEE MITCH LIVE AND IN PERSON?
MITCH IS APPEARING IN WESTCHESTER, NY AT THE GROW CONFERENCE ON MAY 19. SPEAKING ON NETWORKING.
PLUS – FOR THE FIRST TIME APPEARING WITH DR. PATTY ANN – TOGETHER