Posted on 10/04/2009 8:20:29 AM PDT by Joiseydude
Of course Barack and Michelle Obama failed in Copenhagen. Their strategy could not possibly succeed. In their academic arrogance, they thought they could sell a product they clearly do not believe in (the United States) and moreover, they could do so by stressing the benefits to the seller (Chicago) and not the buyer (the IOC). And to top it off, they committed the faux pas of talking too much about the sales force (themselves) and not about the product or the buyer.
Gee, what could possibly go wrong?
Anyone who has had to succeed in the real business world -- and that includes few if any on Team Obama -- instinctively knows that to get business done you have to believe in what you are doing and offer a product or service that is focused on the benefits to the customer. In the Obama World of Chicago pay-to-play power, business gets done by flexing muscle and clearing the field of your competitors. You don't have to sell anything. You don't have to believe in anything. It is fine to be self-focused. You simply have to apply the power of the applicable political machinery and you win.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
It’s not about the product, but the benefits to the buyer.
The buyers were asking “What’s in it for me?” and The Kenyan and The Wookie didn’t even try to answer the question. It was all about them, not the buyers.
FAIL!
As a rule yes, with the right prospect and when the time is right.
Every prospect is unique in theier personality and needs, a good rep is one who can identify both traits then adapt his pitch to the particular customer and either pull or push as needed.
A sale is made on every call you make. Either you sell the client, or he sells you on a reason he can’t. Either way, a sale is made, the only question is, who’s gonna close: you or him.
great article. thanks for posting. It is simply breathtaking how the Obamas thought they they could make the pitch about them, as if the Olympic committee cared a rat’s ass about how happy it would make Obama.
I don’t think Obama and his team have a clue of just how badly they are going to lose in 2012.. it is going to be brutal.. (provided that we come up with a viable candidate)
If you were going to "sell" the Obamas on giving this presentation, what would you put in it? Exactly! You would put in it things THEY want to hear about themselves, etc. So the people putting together the presentations didn't do it with the IOC in mind, they did it with the Obamas in mind. I've seen sales calls made to make the boss look good, with the customer sitting there as a second line player. This was that! Somebody thought the presentation would be pleasingly accepted by the Obamas ... but left out WHY the presentation was being made and to WHOM. Fascinating the A.T. picked up on that VERY KEY point in this whole process.
Lots of people are second-guessing this process and laying blame.... so I'm going to take my turn. The people who blew this were the ones that put together the presentation. Michelle and B. only "read" this stuff, they don't produce it. The "delivery" was great (as usual) ... but the content, in the mind of the customer, sucked. (Obviously).
Excellent commentary!
The essay title was never fulfilled. No where does that article list the first three rules of selling.
Shoulda sent ACORN
Pray for America and Our Troops
THEY WEREN'T SELLING they were TELLING.SO true ... do those people *know* how anything works outside Chicago?
Interesting take, that makes sense, and also begs where the initial request to make such a sale came from.
The rules are written but implictly...I'll highlight the rules...[believe in the product] (the United States) In their academic arrogance, they thought they could sell a product they clearly do not believe in
[stress benefit to the buyer] (the IOC) and not the seller (Chicago)
[It's not about you, it's about the product]. They committed the faux pas of talking too much about the sales force (themselves) and not about the product or the buyer
Althouse has video of both speeches here. This is the type of presentation I would expect at a county party meeting, or at the dedication ceremony for a new statue in the City or something. Not before an audience of international bigwigs who are in a position to do them a big favor.
Good work! The highlighting of the three rules clearly shows just how “off” Obama is. In his mindset, in his approach — in the lack of respect he gives to anything but himself.
You maybe should re-read the first paragraph. I count the three rules I’m familiar with.
How would they know any rules for selling? They’ve never had jobs in their lives.
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