Many decades ago, the TV show Gilligan's Island was a hit. We all remember the group who could build anything out of coconuts but could not patch a small hole in their boat. One of the episodes found a 'jungle boy' that had mysteriously arrived on the island. They'd developed a plan to send him off in a balloon to Hawaii to give their location, viability and allow them to be rescued.
While planning, everyone had different ideas. As each pitched their different proposals, Gilligan would proclaim "that’s a good point" at the conclusion of the thoughts. The Skipper stated "Gilligan, not everyone can have a good point" - to which Gilligan replied, "YOU have a good point"! Today's political environment likewise yields many good points put forward from all ranges of political belief.
As we talk to our customers, just about everyone asks, "Did you see or hear what so and so politician or newscaster said?” As we try to apolitically answer, we desperately search which camp one comes from so the customer doesn’t have objections to buying from us.
Many years ago, a pastor was in the showroom when a young Mennonite man drove up in a shiny black pickup. As he entered the door, the pastor commented on what a pretty new pick-up he was driving. The young man replied that the unit wasn't new - it was just repainted from its original red.
The pastor then asked him if his church supported missionaries to which the young man replied they did, and that he was just about to embark on a lengthy mission trip himself. He was then asked, "Well don't you think our Lord would have been better served to drive the pickup red and have given the paint job money to your missions?"
The reply was a stammering explanation of himself as he exited the door and drove off. I then told the pastor he might have had a valid point, but from now on please let people buy something first, before you run them off!
Are we two faced, lily livered, wimps in our political stance as salespersons? You bet (or should be!). I have had face to face conversations with neo-socialists to the harshest conservatives. I listened, biting my tongue so bad I could taste the blood, while thinking all the time, “Why did I start this or how can I end it without blowing the sale?”
The old Gilligan line of "that’s a good point" is the best answer we have discovered. Never in history have we witnessed what transpired this year in US politics and what is still to come. Keeping the naysayers and negative attitudes from permeating our jobs as a professional sales force is going to be a critical role in success.
Every election for centuries has predicted the end of the world if a certain someone was elected. Each generation has the following young-uns 'going to the dogs.’ Writings from the ancient Romans even echoed such - OK maybe a bad illustration - but the results are always the same; life goes on.
There was an old war time saying, "Loose Lips Sink Ships.” Today with a nation split 50/50 on party lines, let's make sure our political actions don't sink the sale of tractors.
‘Til next time - wishing your party wins and you profitably sell truckloads of equipment.
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Told from the perspective of an in-the-trenches owner/operator — Tim Brannon of B&G Equipment, Paris, Tenn. — Equipment Dealer Tips, Tales & Takeaways shares knowledge, experiences and tips/lessons with fellow rural equipment dealerships throughout North America. Covering all aspects required of an equipment dealership general manager, Brannon will inform, entertain and provide a teachable moment for current — and future — leaders within equipment dealerships. |
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