Have Some Patience, Patients
Chris Harding writes: -
HAVE SOME PATIENCE, PATIENTS
I was recently in hospital for an X-Ray.
It had been booked for 15:00 and with it being the NHS, I knew it was unlikely that I would be seen on time.
Plan Ahead and Prepare For The Worst
I took my tablet with me to catch up on emails and, if I got the chance, I might get some time to read as a bonus.
The waiting room was packed but I was fortunate to get a seat amongst the more able-bodied.
I thought that with a bit of luck, I’d be seen by 16:00 and set upon my work.
Frustration Kicks In
Within 5 minutes, some of those who had been there before me started moaning and complaining.
Approaching hospital staff, whinges included having had to wait over half an hour, perceived queue jumping and even a woman who said she could be at home watching Desperate Housewives rather than wasting her time there!
Yes, these scenarios are frustrating yet most in the room were thinking of themselves rather than the staff who were clearly up against it.
So What Was The Delay and What’s The Point Of This Story?
The X-Ray department in Accident & Emergency had gone down so those who needed urgent treatment were understandably prioritised.
It inconvenienced those around me and myself to an extent but I wasn’t surprised as there are inevitably delays at hospitals and it was easy for me to relate this circumstance to my business and those of my clients.
All forms of marketing require focused planning with an end goal and a forecasted return on investment.
There are sometimes delays in these returns for a variety of reasons, some of which aren’t or can’t be factored into the initial plan.
These can be frustrating, especially when you expect returns sooner rather than later. Yet if you accept that sometimes you need to invest some extra time and patience to improve the process, you’ll get your reward.
Find A Reason To Become A Priority
By that I don’t mean ensure you have a serious injury or accident!
In telemarketing specifically, you will often end up frustrated as you may have to wait a few times before speaking with a decision maker.
There is usually a reason why they aren’t free to take your call and often it’s because you’re not at the top of the list of their priorities.
However, if you focus on an appropriate target market and give them a compelling reason why they should speak with you, you will speak with the decision maker that much sooner and obtain an outcome, positive or negative, ensuring an overall boost in productivity.
Everyone is in such a rush these days that they often push things which will lead to disappointment rather than reward.
Remain patient and you will get your opportunity.