Think It’s Easy to Be A Corporate Executive?
May 06
Ever wonder why that high-value prospect didn’t call you back even though he gave you the impression that he wanted to implement your solution? Let’s take a peek into a typical day of a corporate executive…
5:45 PM.
Rick Johnston, VP Business Development, sank into his office chair, dialed his voice mail pass code and heard, “You have seven new messages.”
“Hi this is Sean Preston from HiTech Corporation. We’re providers of customized software solutions that help companies like yours streamline their ordering processes. I’d like to…” Rick pressed the delete button and started listening to the next message.
“Mr. Johnston, Susan Meyers from Analytic Metrics. I’d like to schedule a short meeting to show you how our newest product will save you time and money…” Delete.
“Rick, it’s Brian from logistics. We have a major problem with the Global Software program. Call me right away.”
And it continued. Fortunately, Brian’s voice mail was the only one Rick needed to take action on. However, his email in-box was another story. Forty-two new messages waited for him and that was just since 2:30 this afternoon. Today, like every other day, was a blur.
He had arrived in his office at 7:15 AM and spent forty-five minutes responding to outstanding issues from the previous day. Then, for the next several hours, he hustled from meeting to meeting. A half-eaten sandwich on his desk reminded him of the minor crisis that had interrupted his lunch. Unexpected problems with their new CRM system they had recently implemented company-wide absorbed his afternoon forcing him to cancel two other meetings and delay a decision on yet another project he was overseeing.
On top of that was the directive to reduce spending yet again.
The CFO seemed completely out of touch with reality with his demands to cut back expenditures. Marketing, training, and other operational expenses were continually under the microscope. Employee lay-offs were rampant and head count is rapidly shrinking.
“How can we possibly run so lean and still cut resources?” Rick had challenged. The CFO simply shrugged and said, “That’s why we pay you the big bucks.”
But the biggest thorn in Rick’s side is the political battle he is fighting with Drew Strick, VP New Accounts.
Every time Rick attempts to implement a change that will improve the company’s results, Strick challenges him and attempts to derail his efforts. The VP has an uncanny ability to uncover the slightest shortcoming in Rick’s plans to improve the business and is more adept at aligning himself with the other executives. In fact, Strick makes every effort to publicize the fact that he frequently dines with the CEO, CIO, CFO, and President.
Rick broke away from his reflections and sighed. Another three hours of work to do and I still feel that I haven’t made any headway. He grimaced and dialed Brian’s extension to discuss the problem in logistics.
And that, my friends, is a typical day in the life of an executive.
Internal politics, budget cutbacks and spending freezes, an impossible amount of work to accomplish, and limited resources. It’s little wonder that they don’t return your calls or seem to take forever to make a decision. Even if you have a solution that is a perfect fit for your prospect’s company, it’s going to take a lot of work and patience to get through to your decision maker.
Planning a Sales Meeting, Conference or Event?
Kelley helps sales people master sales conversations so they can win more business and increase their sales. If you’re planning a sales meeting, conference or event and need an engaging & informative speaker, call him at: 905-633-7750 or Kelley@Fearless-Selling.ca. Here’s Kelley in action: http://bit.ly/ef5P5l
This is a reality check and valuable lesson for all salespeople who think they are the center of the universe. You’re not, you’re just one of seven new voice mail messages so you better make sure you stand out and differentiate yourself!
Wim
@SalesSells Wim, Good point about sales people thinking they are the center of the universe.
Very useful, thanks for writing this =)
Thanks for your comment, KeriLynn.
Great post. I am focusing on new items in our product line and will be starting to deal more and more with people at the C-level. Do you have any insights and/or strategies when approaching C-level employees?
Perhaps a followup post to address how to best work successfully within the framework as mentioned above.
Thanks Adam. I’ll definitely do a follow-up post on this topic in a few days. Cheers!
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