One, not so fine, afternoon I get a call. Caller identifies me by name and says, “Hi Abhay this is Ramani. Shobha gave me your reference”. Shobha is my postal PPF-RD-mediclaim agent for last 12-13 years. She wanted to stop her enterprise due to some personal responsibilities. I recollect her telling me that one Mr. Ramani will take the charge of her clientele. This was that Ramani calling me, being unnecessarily-overfriendly with first name mention and overall tone of his talking was too imposing.
We fixed up time and date to meet at my office. On that particular day he did not turn-up. Three days later he calls up -“Hi Abhay (Again Abhay!) – I am coming that side of the city can we meet today?”
Me- “But I was waiting for you three days back”. “Ya-Ya I was held up” – says he, no apology neither in words nor in tone” Can we meet today at 15 hrs?”
Because it was a pressing need for me to meet this agent I said “Do come at 15.30 please.”
Around 10-15 minutes late but he arrived.
An unorganized, typical salesmanish look.
Directly started the subject – Give me these details and that and let me see. I am in a hurry kind of gesture.
I said “Relax” to myself. Of course, It is a curse to be a marketing Teacher- Trainer-Consultant perhaps. Do I expect too much from sales-marketing people?
‘Instead of plan A you should go for plan B for your mediclaim ‘he proclaimed. ‘Ya it has a higher Coverage!’ – But do I need a higher coverage?
Why is he not asking me relevant questions? Was it not appropriate for him to have come prepared while coming for the sales-call?
Then comes the final onslaught – “These Government companies are Bakwaas. You should opt for mediclaim by a private company XYZ. No question asked claim settlement.” I have heard stories exactly opposite. But he doesn’t want to talk, to have a dialogue. He is a perpetual talker.
At the end of this meeting I asked him to email me certain details on some scheme. I am still waiting to receive it………….
Questions:
1. What do you think about Ramani as a Sales person.
2. What suggestions would you give Ramani if he is reporting to you as a Sales Manager?