It’s interesting the way some people get their panties in a twist over the most random of things.
Some dude lost his shit recently over my “don’t do coffee” rule. He was all like,
“My company turns over a million dollars a month and we do coffee and it’s very successful for us and you’re wrong!”
And I was all like – dude, if it’s working for you, sweet. Keep doing that.
You see, everything I write on social media, in my blog, on various columns I pen around the place, I write specifically to my target market. And my target market are solo entrepreneurs who are a little left of centre. Typically in a service industry, selling B2B and turning over less than $100,000.
My advice isn’t meant to be a blanket cure-all for every single person who runs a business – because I’m only interested in talking to my niche … who, typically, aren’t making enough money because they’re a little bit afraid of making sales and so go out to coffee in the hope the coffee will do the closing for them and they’ll never have to ask for the order.
These guys need to stop doing coffee.
If, however, you’re doing hundred thousand dollar deals over coffee and it’s working for you – I clearly don’t think you should stop doing that.
This may come as news to you, but you’re not actually obliged to do what random people on Facebook say you should do. No need to get freaked out over it – do it if you want, don’t do it if you don’t.
I dispense the advice my target market needs – I wonder why it upsets some people? Are they just desperate to prove they know “better” than me? Or are they afraid I’m right?
At the end of the day, whether I or anyone else gives you advice, you always have to follow the Law of the Buddha -
“Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.”
Good old Buddha. He totally knew his shit.
And he, by the way, didn’t do coffee with anyone. Ever.
As usual…well written Leela darlin. You are da shit in my eyes!! xx
So well written! I always get a chuckle fro your posts Leela!
I love how you call things the way they REALLY are.
It is all trying to leverage the law of reciprocity – if I buy you a coffee… will you do somehting for me?
Probably not if you don’t have a relationship and your product and service isn’t a no-brainer purchase!!
Rock on sista
Jo
Over the past few months, I’ve done a bit of research on this very topic.
In every book I’ve read, every life I’ve studied, every person I’ve met, I’ve endeavoured to find JUST ONE PERSON who had anything unique to offer, and not copped any stick for it.
Surprise, Surprise. I could not find one.
From Jesus to Martin Luther King, from Elvis to Madonna, from Leela Cosgrove to Tony Robbins. It appears that success goes hand in hand with people out there disagreeing with you.
Keep up the good work!
Thanks Amber and Jo xoxoxo
Haha Rodwell! That’s some pretty illustrious company you’ve put me in – but yes, I agree – anyone who does anything cops a great deal of shit for it. Learning to deal with that is the price of success.
Coffee’s fine if you’re clear on the payoff and have a plan… Most people I deal with at the small end of SME are doing coffee and getting nowhere because they don’t ask for the order or close… So I would rather them having the failures to close on the phone and be able to sell before I send them out to time consuming appointments…
It’s not about the coffee, its about the dodge. Could be any activity that distracts and permits deadly procrastination. I don’t have any more energy for the companies that permit or participate in the ‘doing coffee’ or any dodging. I just resigned from one, in fact.
EXACTLY JudyAnn
Good one!! Luvin’ Buddha’s shit too
Hey Leela,
Wow, you always write such right-on stuff, and powerfully, but this one knocked it for six.
Love the Buddha quote. What a great corrective to blind followers.
As a fellow marketer said recently, “Everyone wants an opinion, but very few are willing to do the work to acquire one.”
Best wishes from Scotland,
Matthew
First off, well done on dragging me away from WoW with your awesomely written articles. That is no mean feat, especially given how bad my concentration is.
Secondly, some people just have nothing better to look forward to in life than to put others down who are being successful and doing something they can’t.
I’d have to question whether they truly make 1mil a month, or if they just felt like being pompous idiots who really just couch surf all day, don’t have a dime to their name need to live in a pretend world where they’re a major business exec.
In the end, it’s my opinion that you’re happy doing what you’re doing. Constructive criticism is cool, but screw the people who try to bring you down.