How easy it is to lose both a deal and a whole week!

Last week was tough for me in terms of sales at the Ligier Store… and it was entirely my own fault. But it turned out to be an important learning moment, a clear lesson to do better next time. It also once again proved how crucial mental preparation and having a clear head are for any salesperson.

An appointment

On Tuesday, I had an appointment with a customer for a Lynk & Co. He reached out late Monday night, and we scheduled a visit via WhatsApp for the next day to check out our inventory. The appointment was set for 10:00 a.m., and I sent him a confirmation and directions at 9:00 that morning via WhatsApp.

Our building layout is a bit illogical. The front is technically the back, so you can easily enter through the wrong door. You can also walk around to the front via the side. I knew the customer was coming, so I should’ve been alert. And it was Tuesday – my day. At the same time, I also had a meeting with a leasing company – that happens more often. In such cases, the customer appointment always takes priority.

Not alert

It was already past ten. I was in a conversation and not alert enough. The customers entered through the other door. I didn’t see or hear them, and they were inside for more than five minutes without being acknowledged. They didn’t have to announce themselves – I should’ve noticed them. They even sent a message saying they were inside, but I missed that too.

After ten minutes, they left. I saw their message ten minutes later and called them immediately. I did everything I could to get them to come back, but they wanted to visit another supplier first. Maybe they’d return… You guessed it – they found a car elsewhere. I missed the deal – and it was 100% my fault. A €5 doorbell could’ve made the difference.

Hard to shake off

I carry these things with me – it’s hard for me to let them go. That’s why I write them down – it helps me move on. But for the two days after that mishap, almost nothing worked out. I was just a little too late everywhere, came up just short, things just didn’t click. It was the opposite of those Saturdays when everything falls into place from the start and you sell to everyone you talk to. Now, it was the other way around.

It shows again that a salesperson must have a clear head to treat every opportunity as a new one. You can’t let a previous failure distract you – like in my case, a blown deal. If your head isn’t clear, you don’t lose just one deal – you lose several. That’s my lesson of the week. A costly one, no doubt…