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Ask for no, don't ask for yes (2022)

mooreds.com

11–20 of 286 posts

Re: Ask for no, don't ask for yes (2022)

#11

This is a variation of a sales tactic which says to not give people the option to say no but instead only give them affirmative options. E.g., Not "When can we talk about this deeper?" But "Would Tuesday at 1 or Wednesday at 3 be better for a follow-up?"

That's a high-pressure sales tactic, and the obvious answer to such a question is "Let me get back to you." If I am forced to schedule, I will schedule and then cancel.

Re: Ask for no, don't ask for yes (2022)

#12

This is a variation of a sales tactic which says to not give people the option to say no but instead only give them affirmative options. E.g., Not "When can we talk about this deeper?" But "Would Tuesday at 1 or Wednesday at 3 be better for a follow-up?"

That's a high-pressure sales tactic, and the obvious answer to such a question is "Let me get back to you." If I am forced to schedule, I will schedule and then cancel.

I don’t do sales, but I use this all the time with friends - not to force a particular schedule, but to remove ambiguity about my availability. Folks are generally happy to suggest another time if they aren’t available.

If I put “let’s catch up” out there with no information about when I am available, I’m giving the other person the mental labour of initiating the scheduling process.

Re: Ask for no, don't ask for yes (2022)

#13
post #5

Why bother. If the company doesn't want to respond in the affirmative to a valuable idea that has been communicated clearly, let it torpedo itself and dig its grave. Whatever the answer, the outcome will be righteous. In the bigger scheme of things, it is better to evolve companies that answer optimally. There is no need to ever bend over backwards to save a company that is not your own.

Unless you have a limited pool of opportunities. If so, educate and demonstrate value. Maybe even if pool isn’t super limited.

Or, if your job is decent, don't let perfect be the enemy of good.

(Also, not every decision that you need to communicate up to your manager is going to have a significant impact on your company. Sorry?)

Re: Ask for no, don't ask for yes (2022)

#14
I do this. I got too impatient asking for yes so I ask for no with deadline. Unless it's very risky, then you do a DACI or call a meeting etc.

Try to make most of your operations 2 way doors with safety fallbacks.

If you have good tests, you'll be able to get away with more.

Re: Ask for no, don't ask for yes (2022)

#15

This is a variation of a sales tactic which says to not give people the option to say no but instead only give them affirmative options. E.g., Not "When can we talk about this deeper?" But "Would Tuesday at 1 or Wednesday at 3 be better for a follow-up?"

For internal meetings here is the trick. Let your team edit your calendar! It is a high trust thing but it means you tell them you booked a meeting. They can decline or move it without the ping pong. Google Calendar works well here. (Google Calendar is so good now you may not need one of the many calendar SaaS offerings)

Re: Ask for no, don't ask for yes (2022)

#16

This is a variation of a sales tactic which says to not give people the option to say no but instead only give them affirmative options. E.g., Not "When can we talk about this deeper?" But "Would Tuesday at 1 or Wednesday at 3 be better for a follow-up?"

That's a high-pressure sales tactic, and the obvious answer to such a question is "Let me get back to you." If I am forced to schedule, I will schedule and then cancel.

I think it’s less about putting pressure on a prospect as it is making the follow up meeting as easy as possible to schedule.

To many people, me included, it does come off a bit abrasive, but it does reduce the number of decision to make into a yes or no.

Re: Ask for no, don't ask for yes (2022)

#17

Why bother. If the company doesn't want to respond in the affirmative to a valuable idea that has been communicated clearly, let it torpedo itself and dig its grave. Whatever the answer, the outcome will be righteous. In the bigger scheme of things, it is better to evolve companies that answer optimally. There is no need to ever bend over backwards to save a company that is not your own.

I hardly think wanting to be more productive/efficient on your own behalf is "bending over backwards" to save a company.

It could be a project with a deadline, and you want to knock some things out earlier so that there is less crunch time needed in a few weeks.

Maybe you want to get some of your work done early so you can take it easier in near future where you anticipate yourself being preoccupied with other responsibilities.

Or, hear me out. You feel secure in your job position, and simply take pride in your work. You will be there working anyways. I would rather get stuff done and feel productive at work than to have meaningless down time twiddling my thumbs, waiting for a response.

Re: Ask for no, don't ask for yes (2022)

#19

This is a variation of a sales tactic which says to not give people the option to say no but instead only give them affirmative options. E.g., Not "When can we talk about this deeper?" But "Would Tuesday at 1 or Wednesday at 3 be better for a follow-up?"

That's a high-pressure sales tactic, and the obvious answer to such a question is "Let me get back to you." If I am forced to schedule, I will schedule and then cancel.

i just say no thank you, then get impolite if they don’t drop it.

Re: Ask for no, don't ask for yes (2022)

#20

This is a variation of a sales tactic which says to not give people the option to say no but instead only give them affirmative options. E.g., Not "When can we talk about this deeper?" But "Would Tuesday at 1 or Wednesday at 3 be better for a follow-up?"

Yes and it’s very obvious
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