One of the more depressing, soul-destroying parts of my job is having to cold call businesses.
A cold call is like any other phone call made to you in that (unless it has been pre-agreed that the caller will dial your number at a designated time) it is largely unexpected, usually unwanted and always made at a time that suits the caller rather than the call-ee.
For this, I apologise to the many, many, many businesses whose working day I have interrupted by asking for the person who deals with the company insurance (sadly I'm not always armed with a contact name). For the most part, people are polite and seem to respect the fact that I'm just doing my job and trying to earn a living like everyone else and lets face it, I'm not cutting into anyone's private time. However, some people are abrupt and others simply hang up.
The worst ones are the "Little Hitlers" who take great delight in exerting the only power they have by denying you access to the person of your choice.
The best question I get asked repeatedly by Little Hitlers on phoning a prospect is: "Are they expecting your call?"
To which my response is: "Well, are they clairvoyant?"
At this point I usually hear: "Sorry, we don't have a Claire here" and/or a click and a tone notifying me that I have been hung up on.
I may need to re-think my cold calling strategy........
or perhaps 'little hitlers' as you call them are trying to do THEIR job and not letting cold calling insurance sales people through. That response would have made me hang up on you too many years ago mr DJC ;)
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