A salesperson enters my DM's asking if I wanted to "partner" with them...
Make sure your sales team is not using the word "partner" in their outreach to users...
*Note, I mean no disrespect to the efforts of an SDR or AE, but they must be transparent on social profiles as to their objective before outreach.
This happened to me last week - a salesperson asked if I wanted to "partner with us." So, I pressed him to ask for a sales call instead. It took him until this morning to admit he was not looking for partners, but the damage to his actual partner team rep is already done. He even goes as far to have the title of "Strategic Partnerships".
If you have a salesperson approaching people with a "partnership" proposition, stop them.
Here was my experience:
Salesperson (representing themselves with a "Partnerships" title):
[Connect on LinkedIn w/ an add note] Hi Alex I would love to connect and add you to my professional network. Warm regards
Salesperson:
[Automated second response message] Hi Alex Thank you for connecting! It's awesome to have you as part of my network. I trust all is well with you and that the current situation isn't affecting your business too adversely. Just a quick intro from me. I head up strategic partnerships at Leads Fetched and I would like to offer you an opportunity to increase your business's revenue. It looks like we might be able to help you open a few doors on the business development side over the next few months, so I wondered if you might have a few minutes to run through my logic. Any chance I could grab you for a quick chat on Tuesday or Thursday, it will literally be 15 minutes. How’s your diary for those days? Warm regards, Pete Herbst Managing Director Leads Fetched Social Prospecting System
Sales is the antithesis of “partnerships”. So you can’t partner with someone you’re trying to sell to. Which is it?
Salesperson:
Hi Alex, Well, our approach is that of "how can we possibly help each other". Not trying to sell you anything, only want an opportunity to chat so we can establish how we can help your business grow. Let me know if you would be available for a quick chat? We may just be able to exchange valuable ideas that would benefit both of us... I hope to hear from you soon Pete
Salesperson:
I guess the question is - is your approach purposed to sell something - charge me for services?
Our call will take about 15 minutes, depending on you. That will cost you absolutely nothing.
Ok... humor me... after this call, is the next step to present pricing?
Salesperson:
ok...
That all depends if you would be interested in making use of any services we offer, I would obviously present pricing 😎
Well then why use the phrase “I head up Strategic Partnerships...” if your agenda is not to partner strategically but to sell and provide a service?
Salesperson:
Strategic Partnership is my main focus. Offering you a service, is an optional extra. Connection and networking is really what it's all about, same as with you. I have no hidden agenda, Alex
But feel free to draw your own conclusions on the matter. If the wording in my message offends you, feel free to remove yourself from my network. You are not forced to be a part of it.
It doesn’t offend me. But I work with strategic partnerships leads whose jobs are made more difficult when salespeople try to get in the door using the phrase “partner with your org”. If you are trying to sell something, just say you’d like to show me a demo. Leave “partner” out of it bcs in truth it doesn’t apply to this relationship.
Salesperson:
I understand. The thing is, we do partner with teams to assist them in their client acquisition process. We also sell the pipeline as a product
But "assist" is not free, correct? It's not a free reciprocal relationship. You are providing a service for a fee, correct?
Salesperson:
Hi Alex, Thank you for your response, I appreciate your engagement. Please keep us in mind so we could help you generate quality leads for your business in the future! All the best to you and your team for the year.
...which is a sales conversation, correct? ;)