🎃 A Frightening Visit 🎃

The haunted hayride from the airport to our first appointment led me to be believe that everything the sales mangler needed to know was learned by trick-or-treating.

From his inappropriate costume, to his empty tote, he was ill-prepared for the horrors that awaited him at the dealerships.

Our pumpkin-headed protagonist had one goal in mind: to procure treats (purchase orders).  He would not stand for accepting tricks (service issues).

Of all of the witches, Frankensteins, mummies and ghouls, perhaps the scariest of all of the apparitions coming to town is the werewolf.  You remember him don’t you?  No, not Jack (O’Lantern, we’re talking about the fellow who morphs from one creature when with you, and into another one when in front of a customer).

Why do we continue to drink the same Kool-Ade each year and expect different results?

The time has come for a new strategy: pre-plan the dreaded territory visit!

A few key questions answered in advance could eliminate the horrifying confusion and fear.

Who, what, when, where, and why?  Establishing the logistics before the bewitching hour could go a long way in successfully navigating the bell-ringing before the neighborhood curfew is up.

Will there be training?  What collaterals are needed? Is there a new product to be focused on? Any particular geographic area or customer class that needs attention?  Who’s making the lodging and entertainment reservations?  Are there any skeletons in the closet?

Having ironed out all of the particulars beforehand will go a long way in setting priorities and expectations on everyone’s parts.  Measuring the results against those pre-established goals represent the essential tools for gauging the success of a field excursion.

Accepting candy from strangers is only advisable one day per year.  Actively managing your relationships should not be an ongoing nightmare.