Sales Training Ideas - Some Notes On Name Pronunciation When Cold Calling

When you are out selling and you come across aInvariably, the receptionist will say the person's full
name you don't know how to pronounce, you willname. Repeat it back, and then say, "And how do
handle it in one of two ways based upon theyou spell that?" (Even though you have it right in
logistics of your territory and how many peoplefront of you.) Once they spell it, you can ask
you are trying to reach and in what time frame.them to pronounce it again if you still don't have it
If you have a set number of accounts in yourcompletely down. Next, make your own phonetic
territory and have to make every call count, youspelling of the name so you know how to
will check the pronunciation before you cold callpronounce it when you cold call.
the person. If, on the other hand, you have anPlaying the odds with names when cold calling
unlimited market and are just trying to bang outIn case number two you basically have an
as many numbers as possible and reach as manyunlimited territory, say tens of thousands of
people as possible, you will simply play the odds.people you can cold call. Perhaps you are an
Let's take a look at both scenarios.investment advisor who is cleared to do business
Checking name pronunciation before a cold callin 17 states and you are cold calling for leads in
In case number one you have a set territory, saythe evening where your objective is to reach as
100 banks in Massachusetts. In this case you willmany people as possible as quickly as possible. In
check the names of the people you are coldthis case, you'll simply play the odds when making
calling before you go out on calls. If there are anythe cold call.
names you do not know how to pronounce, theIf you are cold calling a business and are unsure
best approach is to call the company's mainof the pronunciation of either the first or last
number and say, "Hello. I have a message herename, simply ask for the person by the name
and I'm having trouble reading the handwriting.you can pronounce, either the first or last name.
The name on the message looks like (you thenIf cold calling a residence, again ask for the first
begin to spell the name you're having trouble with)name. If you can't pronounce it for some reason,
Mr. P-E-R-F something or other."ask for Mr. / Ms. Last Name.