I first heard the latin term “quid pro quo” as a high school student on the debate team. It loosely translates as ‘something for something’ or ‘this for that’. Later as a business owner, the concept grew into creating a win-win situation, which is always the best way to conduct business in my opinion.
It seems like the idea of the win-win gets lost amongst direct sales representatives for some strange reason. I think sometimes the reason may be that so many independent sales reps are so focussed on acquiring more team members and rank advancing that they forget they also need customers. Yes, we can attempt to gain team members, but when approaching sales reps from other direct sales companies, keep in mind that they can become customers without giving up the company they love. In fact, Seacret’s policies for agents strongly warns against attempting to convert other sales reps. (see Policies and Procedure, sec. 3.24) This is where quid pro quo can benefit your sales numbers.
I get approached by sales reps all the time from many different types of companies and products, including direct sales. Sometimes they lead with asking if I want to take a look at their products and sometimes I lead. Either way, I have decided to only create win-win situations because I believe it is the correct way to do business.
Life is not a one-way street. It starts with a basic mindset that if someone wants to sell me something and I have something they can buy, then I am happy to listen to their sales pitch if they are willing to listen to mine, and I will consider becoming a customer of theirs if they are willing to consider being a customer of mine. If not, then as a great mentor is fond of saying, “No big deal.” And, I mean that there will be no big deal. If you won’t listen to me then we have nothing to discuss.
So, with this new win-win philosophy up and running, anytime someone approaches me about their product line, I simply say, “Yes, I would be happy to hear about your products and your company if you will also take the time to let me explain mine.” This separates the professionals from the amateurs. Anyone who is too one-sided to listen to my sales pitch is a self-centered amateur and not someone I would want to do business with.
The same is true on the flip side. When I approach someone first, I begin by explaining I believe in the win-win situations and would be very interested in hearing about your products also. If there is a fit, and they have products I can use, I will make an effort to purchase from them. Does this mean that we will always find people who will buy from us and we buy from them. No, but if they won’t listen, then there certainly won’t be any business between us.
If you would like more information or some coaching on how to use this philosophy, please contact me. I would be happy to help.
~ Matt, Seacret Agent for the Win-Win