A middle-aged salesman, the youngest of four children, goes to
visit his aging mother in a retirement home. His mother, a much older
flower-child from the seventies, and in tune with her emotions, noticed
that her son was puzzled with something. "What's worrying you son?" she
asked.
"Why is my brother named 'Mighty Storm?' " asked the middle-aged salesman.
"Because he was conceived during a mighty storm," his mother replied.
The salesman nodded knowingly before asking, "And my sister, named Cornflower?"
"Well son, your father and I were in a cornfield when we made her," his mother replied.
The salesman then asked, "And why is my other sister called Moonchild?"
"Well son, we were watching the moon-landing when she was conceived," the salesman's mother replied.
The salesman's mother paused and noticed that her son still looks puzzled so she says, "Tell me, Torn Rubber, why are you so curious?"
Moral of the story. True sales professionals know that in order to be successful at sales they need to be exacting when it comes to prospects' or customers' names. For many, their name is their identity, so the origin, pronunciation and spelling of their name is very important to them. Chances are, if you butcher a prospect's name, you've cut yourself off from doing any future business with that individual. So if you are unsure about anything to do with names, don't guess. Just ask! Wanting to get someone's name correct shows that you care and indicates that you are professional. Remember by showing some respect, you in turn will be respected.
"A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble." - Charles Spurgeon
"Why is my brother named 'Mighty Storm?' " asked the middle-aged salesman.
"Because he was conceived during a mighty storm," his mother replied.
The salesman nodded knowingly before asking, "And my sister, named Cornflower?"
"Well son, your father and I were in a cornfield when we made her," his mother replied.
The salesman then asked, "And why is my other sister called Moonchild?"
"Well son, we were watching the moon-landing when she was conceived," the salesman's mother replied.
The salesman's mother paused and noticed that her son still looks puzzled so she says, "Tell me, Torn Rubber, why are you so curious?"
Moral of the story. True sales professionals know that in order to be successful at sales they need to be exacting when it comes to prospects' or customers' names. For many, their name is their identity, so the origin, pronunciation and spelling of their name is very important to them. Chances are, if you butcher a prospect's name, you've cut yourself off from doing any future business with that individual. So if you are unsure about anything to do with names, don't guess. Just ask! Wanting to get someone's name correct shows that you care and indicates that you are professional. Remember by showing some respect, you in turn will be respected.
"A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble." - Charles Spurgeon
