Why
The past few articles I’ve written I’ve talked about the importance of growing and maintaining your network. I also feel like I should tell you that knowing all of this is important but seriously sometimes you just need to be a fucking human to people. Too many people try to game the system, what system you ask, every fucking system they can get their hands on. It’s tempting to be that person because they talk to some of the best people and are seemingly on the top of the world with opportunities. But don’t do it, it’s wrong, cheap, fake and downright full of shit.
What I Think
We have this saying here at Coffee House Ideas, it’s real difficult, be human. This isn’t some anthem or some way we are trying to change the way everyone does business or marketing. It’s not a banner we are waving either. It’s just who you should be.
We all want someone to give a damn about us when we give them our money for a product or service. We don’t want to feel like we are just a number and should be forced in line with everybody else.
Example
I was talking with a potential client and they got excited with the possibilities of the reach and level of engagement that we could bring them. But then I saw it, the sinister, dark, lingering greed of owning. That’s what it is, they want to own, and they want to collect people like trophies of their product. I couldn’t believe what was transpiring before me, it was ridiculous, the smile on their face indicated that the gears inside their head were working overtime.
They didn’t get it, they thought that they could game people, trick them to come to their site that we would make look amazing. So I discussed with them that it wasn’t like that, it shouldn’t be like that, I told them that they should treat their customers with respect and attempt to engage them not game them. The advice fell on deaf ears; the only sound they were listening to was their own voices.
Seriously Think About It
At this point you either agree with me or think I’m an idiot who doesn’t understand Capitalism 101. First, gaming customers works effectively but never brings them back; attrition is extremely high making repeat sales very difficult, something that should be of high importance in any state of the economy. Second, capitalism is awesome; if you’ve talked to me at length at all you know I want to make money and lots of it for my clients and myself. I am always looking for new ways to make more money and convert existing customers into new product lines. Looking for new ways to bring new customers into the capitalism machine. This comes from being on the other side, gaming customers is rewarding but never satisfying. There came a point in my life where I decided that I would unwaveringly help people find solutions to their problems without being shady. Yeah, that’s what I call it! I love helping people find the right solution, especially for the right price, that makes me even happier. I believe if you’re good at something you should be paid fairly for it, ergo my thesis on capitalism. Don’t be a douche; be human. Truly help people.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
ey Justin,
I was having this conversation with a client a couple of days ago, and i was wrapped that he was open to the idea that authenticity can and will win out in the end.
Great post.
Cheers.
Nicholas,
I agree, I think initially gaming works but over time authenticity is a sustainable, bankable method that brings real growth.
Hi Justin!
This is really really an important point – always being true to yourself and to your customers – I mean, people KNOW when you try to rip ‘em off… and you can destroy everything you worked hard for in some minutes…
There is no way around authenticity.
In Business – In Life.
It’s a question of standards… what kind of life do I want to live… ?!
Thanks for that post!
Many greetings,
André
So true!
I was taught to be “real” with clients in my early sales career days. My mentor told me treat clients with respect, don’t oversell them, be real and be honest…turns out as I moved to another company, my clients let me in the door again…and again.
Everyone wins this way. Maybe kinda “pay it forward” for business?
Great to hear that you have a similar outlook to my own. This is why I have devoted myself to, and love working with, the credit union movement. Credit unions are cooperative financial institutions, owned by the members that do business with them. Nearly all of the professionals who work in this field are genuine, honest, ethical, hard working people, who are truly looking to help their members with their financial lives.
Webconomist,
I totally agree, in a form it is almost like a “pay it forward” type of business. Thinking about and truly helping your customers always pays off. That’s why they let you in repeatedly because you offered them value that made them feel validated in exchange for their money.
Morriss,
I’ve never worked with credit unions but it seems intriguing, I’ll have to check it out.
Justin that is exactly the song we sing for our clients. At the smae time we see a lot of “resistance” from old schoolers who are still clinging onto attitudes and techniques that were around in the early 20th Century.
The greatest desire of any person is to be recognised and understood as an individual. Treating them like a walking cash machine is not going to fly (more than once) .
Those old schoolers still think a “lost sale” is just a transitory thing. They have in fact lost a long term advocate for their product, their company, themselves, AND a long term customer who has already removed some of the barriers for consideration of further sales.
Allison,
It’s funny how a lot of old schoolers think that a lost sale to gaming a customer is “just” someone who doesn’t want their product. Where in fact the customer becomes an advocate for everything against that company. They forget that the reach people have has expanded and no longer are we tied to our geographical boundaries. The power of Twitter demonstrates that, someone in a remote place discussing their experience with a product or service is not just discussed with a party of one but many.