So, this literally happened today. I recently had a client terminate an engagement in favor of hiring 2 full time people to more rapidly grow the business. It is laughable how many clients end engagements thinking that things will go faster or better with more of more, when the challenges they had were not resolved in the first place.

I find this company that offers an innovative technology for sales intelligence using AI. Having been a Sales Intelligence Manager and a pioneer of account based marketing – way back in 1997/98, I got very excited. I understood what this guy was offering and how it could help people like me not only do better research faster, but help sales people develop more targeted messaging, value propositions, etc. I was on the other side – actually doing that type of research.

I decided to not only write an introductory email which outlined why I would be a great resource to help him with his market development efforts, but an outline of my business model. And – on a nice Saturday afternoon – give him a call. I left my usual introductory voicemail – outlining also why I would be a great resource to help him.

This is what I got back as a response.

“Terrible voicemail and email from a marketer. I will never hire or refer you to anyone. If you ever call me on a Saturday afternoon I will file harrassment charges against you. Never contact me again”.

This tells me a few things:

  1. The guy is a absolute nutjob to have so violently reacted to a 1 minute voicemail and email from someone looking for a job.
  2. He must be a very incompetent business development/marketing professional himself to not appreciate the tailored outreach and to have put me down like that. “Terrible email and voicemail” – yeah- I guess that is why I don’t have 30+ clients over the years.
  3. He will never “refer me to anyone”. The guy has zero clue as to my background or accomplishments and since he is a nutjob who is clearly incompetent – I don’t need his referral. He doesn’t even know me – how can he refer me? We aren’t – thankfully- connected on any social media.
  4. Some people, like me, aren’t 9 to 5. Calling on a Saturday or weekend – shows that I value work and may catch someone for a more informal conversation…not bug them during work hours. I am looking for a job, I am selling myself as a resource – not selling something else.

All I will say is beware of crazies, this time around I seem to be encountering some of the worst of the worst in terms of prospects.

And Eran – the feeling is mutual. I will make sure to let every salesguy I work with and every company I call into to “never use your ‘breakthrough’ solution”. How about that?