At exactly 8:01 this morning, I received a call from an unknown number. No good morning, no "Is this a convenient time to call?". Just a crackling and squeaking connection with only one question: "Do you already have solar panels?" And yes, I was awake.
Every day, I am inundated with such calls. At the craziest hours, with the craziest questions for the craziest products. Making calls and checking off lists. Searching for potential customers. You have to hand it to them. Hundreds of calls a day, looking for business. Because it only takes one to bite and your day is made. I can picture it. All crammed in a (too) small office, barely enough space for your computer or – worse yet – notepad. And noise. Lots of noise.
When the economy is on hold and companies are a bit more cautious, the sales beast strikes everywhere. Sales, sales, sales. Not via WhatsApp, not via email, but by phone. Generation Z is baffled. Huh, calling, how do you do that?
Today, we are overwhelmed with calls. And all for the same reason. "Can we help you find someone because I have a top candidate." You would be scared to be a recruiter. Generation Z looks at me and says they are not successful on the phone. Understandable, because suddenly everyone has started calling. Sales is something you do continuously, even when things are going well. Because that’s when you make a difference.
Hats off to all the callers in this world. They dig all year round, looking for the right person, at the right time, within the right company. They deserve the best spot in the office because they keep smiling despite all the no-answers. Respect, truly, even for the lady who wanted to sell me solar panels this morning. Because she too kept smiling at my no-answer.
