I’m doing an evaluation of a software package on behalf of one of my clients. Basically I need to figure out if I can install it on their server and get everything running, and if so they’ll commit to spending the money to buy the software. So I’ve been talking to the vendor who makes and sells the software, and working to negotiate a better deal on the price (it’s very expensive).
I finally received an e-mail from one of the sales reps, and I figured out that the reason several of her earlier messages had bounced was because she had mistyped my e-mail address. Keep in mind I provided my e-mail as part of an online registration on their web site (so it was in their records) and I also spoke with her on the phone and asked that messages be sent to such-and-such address. Yet she didn’t get it right. And even in the message, she misspelled the name of the product.
Sure, the woman was probably just typing quickly and transposed two letters, but I would expect that if you’re a sales rep hoping to make a sale you could at least get the information right so it goes to the correct person and doesn’t have spelling errors in your product name. This software costs upwards of $7,500 per copy and that lack of attention to detail is a real eye-opener for me.
I’ve said it before: it’s the little things that make a huge impact. It doesn’t matter if you’re a sales rep or just a guy like me hoping to make his way in the world: the little things will make or break you. Spell things right. Remember peoples’ names. Be on time. Be polite. If you are, people notice and think favorably of you. If you aren’t, people notice that too.