Comments on: Are You Selling or Serving?

By: David Cohen

David Cohen — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:22:24 +0000

I love that about me too Seriously, I think there are at least two answers to your question: 1) sadly, some people are intentionally inauthentic, mostly, I would conjecture, they do it for naughty reasons; and 2) a whole bunch of other people get caught up in “should” thinking or, as Fabeku might put it, in other people’s stories (http://www.sankofasong.com/blog/not-their-stories-either/). Their motives might be pure, but they are stuck trying to measure themselves to someone else’s yardstick – a parent, a boss, an industry standard, a projected idea of another’s success. And when I say they, I really mean we – I don’t think any of us completely escape that self-limiting self-critique, but as we grow we learn to get better at spotting it and dodging, better at finding our flow, better at carrying around our own dang ruler and trusting our own self-measure.
.-= David Cohen´s last blog ..So say what you’re trying to say. =-.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 11:46:34 +0000

@David – I love how your comments always move the conversation further along. What I wonder is why wouldn’t people be authentic and reflect their values in what they provide? Maybe they’re still trying to follow someone else’s formula and that’s not a recipe for satisfaction in my experience.

By: Farouk

Farouk — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 08:05:06 +0000

yes you are right, a person can't ignore customers service these days, its so crucial to be overlooked, thanks for the post .-= Farouk´s last undefined ..Response cached until Fri 11 @ 9:00 GMT (Refreshes in 23.93 Hours) =-.

By: David Cohen

David Cohen — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:43:33 +0000

Laurie,

Another fabulous post. Sometimes I get pessimistic because everywhere you turn so many people are just trying to sell you on giving them your time, so they can sell you on a seminar, so they can sell you on a workshop, and in the end they leave you with a one-size-fits-all approach that doesn’t fit. Ugh! It makes it hard to find the good ones (like you) through the clutter, and sadly it makes it hard to trust the good ones when you do find them.

I applaud your call to the sell-sell-sellers to stop and think about who they serve and how they can truly make people’s businesses and lives better. I believe it is possible at every level and size of business, but you can’t lose sight of the care and the heart that underlies the business relationship.

On a separate note you’ve got me thinking about the nature of satisfaction. What leads us to feel truly satisfied? Surely we need to vest something authentic, something of ourselves and reflective of our values in something for its success to be truly satisfying, don’t we?
.-= David Cohen´s last blog ..Safety Last: Mission Statements that Motivate =-.

By: Naomi Niles

Naomi Niles — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 18:01:13 +0000

Aw, shucks. Now I’m all blushing, hee hee! Thanks, Laurie. So glad you liked it.
.-= Naomi Niles´s last blog ..New Guide for Designers: A Smoother Process =-.

By: Laurie Foley

Laurie Foley — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 17:56:59 +0000

@Marissa – Thanks so much for dropping by after being my inspiration! You hit it: SUSTAINABLE. I don’t want to be a carpetbagger, nor do I want to do business with them. Creating relationships is key. It takes time and attention.
.-= Laurie Foley´s last blog ..Are You Selling or Serving? =-.

By: Laurie Foley

Laurie Foley — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 17:53:13 +0000

@Naomi: How great to hear that they guides are doing well! I bought one and thought it was outstanding: beautiful design, focused information, and truly satisfying to use. Like a delicious meal – just enough and didn’t feel stuffed!
.-= Laurie Foley´s last blog ..Are You Selling or Serving? =-.

By: Laurie Foley

Laurie Foley — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 17:51:26 +0000

@Deb: I love those example of very little selling... and booked solid. *That* is my goal. .-= Laurie Foley´s last blog ..Are You Selling or Serving? =-.

By: Marissa Bracke

Marissa Bracke — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:04:12 +0000

A core part of my message, which you’ve picked up and elaborated on in a very articulate way, was that too much focus on the launch can erode the connections and conversations with our audiences. And for some, that doesn’t seem to be a concern: they want sales, and whether the sales come at the expense of audience trust or connection is irrelevant, as long as the sales do come.

But I think there is a significant segment of people who genuinely believe in the business model that finds as its core a connection to the audience. And it is in that connection to the audience that the creative fires get stoked when we ponder how we can serve (or as Jonathan Fields often asks via Twitter, “Who can I help today?”). Whether our art is in writing or teaching or crafting a tangible item, refocusing on that urge to help, to serve and to foster our connections nourishes the art and in so doing nourishes our business. Granted, it may be on a long-range timeline, but for those who thrive on the actual relationships built with their customers and audience, the long-range timeline is what matters.

Flashes in the pan are many and relatively easy. Sustainable businesses (in the connection-focused model) require a longer-term view of things, and a core value of serving, not just selling.

Great post & great addition to the conversation!
.-= Marissa Bracke´s last blog ..Riding the Entrepreneurial Coaster: Eyes Open & Exhale =-.

By: Naomi Niles

Naomi Niles — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:42:36 +0000

So many people are focused on what will get more sales and not so much on what their customers really need.

I’ve been releasing a few small business guides for web designers. I decided before I did them that the success would not be how many got sold, but in how many people found them useful. So far, they’ve exceeded my expectations and at least once a week someone tells me they tried the suggestions in the guides and they worked for them. I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome.

And, the sales are better than I expected too, which I like to hope was a happy side effect of serving a specific need. So yes, I couldn’t agree more.
.-= Naomi Niles´s last blog ..New Guide for Designers: A Smoother Process =-.