I am so intrigued about the skills and intuition of sales people. Steve and I are probably the easiest and quickest people to sell to – but often it seems people are not trained or do not have the foresight to spot the difference between browsers and buyers. We will walk away as quickly as we would have made a purchase and that is the fine line that sales people need to understand I could give you several examples over the last month but I will give you a better example that happened this weekend – Steve was looking to buy a new car and part exchange his current car. We didn’t book appointments, we were open to suggestions and we didn’t take our driving licences. The first car showroom simply said they didn’t have enough cars in stock, the second said they couldn’t take us for a test drive as we didn’t have our licences. The third car showroom, however, had an outstanding sales person called Kamal – who offered to drive us home so he could inspect our licences and then we could take a test drive!! That is called a hungry initiative and as a result, we bought a car from him. He wasn’t an order taker he was a true sales person with a lot of charisma.
Of course this got me thinking about the way we at Bales Worldwide sell to you and if we have the touch that makes you want to buy from us. It is not dissimilar in that some of you do a lot of research before you contact us, some are inspired by an article or a TV programme and some of you just like what you see in the brochure or on the website and contact us. It is how we convert your enquiry that is the decision you make that is the science. I know that we are enthusiastic and knowledgeable; you kindly endorse this in your feedback. We price match – we create a holiday entirely to your specifications and when you wish to travel but to be really honest whilst we have a high level of conversion of you kindly entrusting us with your holiday we do not convert 100per cent. Now this is what intrigues me. I would welcome and love your feedback and help on this, if you have contacted us to check about a specific destination and holiday and we confirm we can do this what else do you need us to do to give us the opportunity of welcoming you on a Bales holiday? What is the trigger for all of us to make a purchase? I can say it but I only ever go shopping if I want to buy. I do not browse so it is the sales person that clinches it for me everytime, obviously provided they have what I am looking for or what I like in the first place. In fact I am so keen to have your comments and opinions I will offer dinner for two couples randomly selected from the mix of feedback we receive regarding your own trigger to buy a holiday.
I have a boss who is a strategist. My husband had suggested that he and I we went away for a strategy weekend together which we did last weekend. We went to Amsterdam as Steve said I would never be off my computer if we did it in this country. So I could say I work with a formalised strategy for all parts of my life now – but it feels really good and focused and a much longer vision than one or two years.
A great find – an incredible restaurant called Bussia in Amsterdam, owned and run by a newly married young couple. Really believe it could get a Michelin star. The husband is the chef and his wife is front of house – what a dynamic and charismatic couple. Attention to detail – when it was noticed that I was struggling to read the menu because I had left my glasses behind – they came and advised me they had a draw of magnifying glasses and what strength did I need. Apparently they have noticed this happens a lot so went out and bought several pair of glasses so people could enjoy reading the menu. What a fantastic touch.
So life is good and very busy and as for my New Year resolutions they will have to start at Chinese New Year – mid February!!
Speak soon
Mandy
About Mandy Nickerson
Other articles by Mandy Nickerson
Mandy endeavours to share her travel experiences (where she will 'tell it like it is') and also detail the latest exciting projects that she is involved in.
Mandy welcomes your feedback - please feel free to submit your thoughts, queries, comments and theories below. 