The “N” Word

You have done all the work, had a many a sleepless night, times are a little tough, you have given the presentation of your life, you really need this deal and the next word that comes out of the potential customers mouth starts with…N. Yep the N word is tough. So what is the N word? NO
We can hear lots of words that can send shivers up our spine but the NO word has a way of ruining your day, especially if what you need your family, your staff, your investors, suppliers in fact all links in the food chained to hear the word yes.
I don’t really think it’s a word that just gets to us when we have our own business, I don’t think anybody really enjoys hearing the word NO. The thing about NO is that its associated with a lot of pain and suffering from the “Get GO” of life and usually hearing that word meant we were about to lose a chance at not having fun.
As a toddler you would always be reaching for something that was great fun to play with but Mum thought otherwise, and quickly Mum would come out with that NO word. As teenagers when offered the chance to go to some sensational party at the house of the person your Parents always warned you about, NO would quickly change your mood to, “You have no idea how embarrassed I am” NO doesn’t sit well when told the lawn needs mowing rather than sitting with your mates having a beer screaming at the weekends footy match.
So you see “NO” is a word we are conditioned with over the years to associate with, “NO” more fun. So of course when you hear NO as a big grown up its going to have the same effect, the only difference is you not going to kick and scream throw soft toys around a Clients office, slam the door on your way and threaten to “Never speak to you again”
Yes are all grown up now, so we have to treat the word NO with a little bit more professionalism? So what is my feeling about the word NO.? We’ll let me say three things.
1. Get used to it, not afraid of it.
2. Every person has the right to use two words, Yes and NO.
3. Have an attitude of they may not be saying NO to everything you are presenting.
Think back in time to the moments NO had such an impact on you, I am sure that in a lot of cases with a little bit of negotiating you could get to play with another toy that could do you any harm. That party? Unless it offered the chance of absolute mayhem with a little give and take, agreeing on some terms and conditions often you would get to go. As for the Lawns? I can bet you did them on a Sunday nursing a hangover and a grin from watching your team win the game.
Making a bid, doing a presentation, offering your service in an essence have the same criteria as stuff we were asking permission do when we were kids, and just as it was back then NO can be the first word that will pop out of the parent sorry customers mouth. The secret? Just like back in the day if you really wanted to play with that toy, if you really wanted to go to that party and if the game was a matter of life and death? You had a plan B for that first NO.
So, when the old N word comes along, think of how many times over the years you have turned that into a YES and enjoy the negotiation and if it doesn’t work out? Hey at least you don’t have to go to your room without dinner and you want be banned from playing Xbox! One thing for sure, even though today may have a disappointment, New chances? Like the sun will shine the next day.
Enjoy the day and remember to get Socially Mobile if you need help Give the Camel a call.