Comments on: How to Network: Stop Barfing on Me

By: Bonnie Karpay

Bonnie Karpay — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:20:33 +0000

@keithprivette I totally hear you, Keith! The good news is that in this new economy, the rules have changed and ALL companies (large & small) are going to have to learn to adapt to the new game. Customers are now requiring that we show up authentically and in deep service.

Research has shown that during a weakened economy, when customers are freaking out, they’re going to respond in one of two ways: 1) They become very focused on price. OR 2) They seek relationship with companies that take care of them and lower their stress & anxiety.

I know which camp I want to be in!

By: Bonnie Karpay

Bonnie Karpay — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:15:40 +0000

@DarrellDeRochier I’m curious, Darrell, when managing your sales teams, how do you balance the importance of establishing these deep relationships against the company’s need for weekly sales goals?

By: keithprivette

keithprivette — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 11:46:54 +0000

I like the #4 and #6 these have produced some great deep relationships with other professionals doing some great things! I do believe these 2 are severely lacking in the DNA of folks in a Large and MegaLarge Corp. This does trickle out into the communities these professional folks live in. It’s a problem that I feel is hindering the growth of our economy. These folks have put the blinders on. Just a sociological observation….

By: DarrellDeRochier

DarrellDeRochier — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:37:05 +0000

Great post, Bonnie. I’ve managed sales teams in the past and the main skill I tried to teach them was how to listen. It is living Stephen Covey’s 5th Habit: seek first to understand, then to be understood.

By: Bonnie Karpay

Bonnie Karpay — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:03:16 +0000

@Amanda Pike , if only that behavior was limited to just the one guy! Unfortunately, it’s rampant. We’ve got lots of work ahead of us. Thanks for your support and your Share on LinkedIn! It all helps.

By: Amanda Pike

Amanda Pike — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 15:13:04 +0000

I think I met that “same” guy you were writing about. It almost sent me into networking hibernation! A common response when meeting people whose idea of networking is “suit up and throw up.” BrrrrRRRrrrr Thanks for your good work!!