The Power of Being Nice

I just returned from a four-day tradeshow in Las Vegas. We were presenting Mail Print’s products and services to sales people in the real estate industry. I “worked the show” with 5 of my staff. The common term last week was, “boy my dogs are barkin’.” Basically, "my feet sure do hurt!"

Working a tradeshow is an interesting experience. Every sales person should do it at least once. AND, working a show where the attendees are salespeople themselves adds an interesting twist. People are generally nice to vendors. They generally know what they are interested in and spend time talking to people they connect with.

Then, there are the other people. These are people I wonder why they ever went into sales in the first place. They are rude, inconsiderate and pretty wimpy. At various times I’ve had people who have stopped and asked me questions about our products and then been extremely rude when I answered them politely. My common response at that point is, “Boy, Mail Print isn’t for everyone.” I just wonder what type of lead generation these folks do to build their businesses.

As you work through your day, there will be times when you are the service provider and there will be times when you are the client. Remember, always, that everyone you interact with may be a referral source, if not a direct client.

Part of your personal brand and personal commitment should be to always be extremely nice, even when things aren’t going so well and you want to be mad. It isn’t worth it. That person you want to be mean to or rude to, may very well deserve it, but then again, that person my very well be the son or daughter of your largest client.

Next time you go out in public and the next time you go to a tradeshow, do so with a little different attitude. Instead of seeing all those people there to do your bidding – or to sell you something – see them as possible leads and future raving fans.

Never under estimate the power of being nice.