8/23/2024-Value prop-ing at the bar?

Clients love to be wined and dined, but they also know it comes with a price. Don’t tippy toe around their obligation; pick your time wisely and talk business.

Did you wish you were in PJs hanging with Hulu last night instead of watching your client drain gin-n-tonics ’til midnight?

Socializing with customers can be fun, but don’t forget that when you’re at the bar, game, or spa, you’re on the clock. Oh sure, go ahead and enjoy yourself, but get something valuable from your buyer in return for your overtime efforts.

A meeting…information…a commitment to an intro…..whatever!

Your manager expects ROI when you use the corporate card, and your free time deserves it.

Commit to receiving something of high value from your customer on your next social selling interaction.

It doesn’t matter if you’re at a concert or a corn-hole tournament…take time at the start of your event and announce that you have some business you need to conduct. Keep it brief, but be specific and direct.

Realize you can be as aggressive with your ask as you want because…. well,because you can…the customer has nowhere to hide!

Of course, there are rules to social selling, and while it’s pretty okay to conduct a little business before the concert starts or after your session at the yoga studio, be wise about your timing.

There’s an acknowledged quid pro quo that is assumed by everyone who participates in business entertainment. The buyer may not expect a 30-slide PowerPoint presentation (which might be tricky if you’re on the golf course), but the customer does expect some sort of an ask from you.

Certain forums and situations warrant different approaches and time talking biz. Make a plan going in so you don’t wake up the next morning with a wristband to remind you that you’re nowhere closer to where you need to be than before last night’s event.

When in doubt, fire away. What is it you need help with? An introduction? Help resolving a sticky issue on the latest transaction? Whatever it is, don’t for one second think you can’t ask just because you’re in a social setting.

Ask. With a smile.

This clip of the greatest corn hole shot EVER is truly breathtaking. (Alright, maybe not breathtaking, but it’s fun.)

If you look very closely in row 3, there’s a guy in the audience pitching his seatmate pretty hard…no doubt he was going for the intro to the CMO.

(BTW, would ya LOOK at how many folks are watching this tournament…and the sponsorships….WOW!)