From Lemons to Lemonade: Embracing the Power of No

Ever been told 'No' and felt disheartened? It's time to change that mindset! Join Ed Drozda, The Small Business Doctor, at The Water Trough as he shows you how to embrace the power of 'No' for your business success. #Business Success #Business Strategies

Episode Transcript

(00:10):
Welcome to The Water Trough,where we can't make you drink,
but we will make you think.
My name is Ed Drozda, the SmallBusiness Doctor, and I'm really
excited you chose to join mehere as we discuss topics that
are important for small businessfolks just like you.
If you're looking for ideas,inspiration, and possibility,
you've come to the right place.
Join us as we take steps to helpyou create the healthy business
that you've always wanted.

Microphone (Yeti Stereo (00:42):
Welcome back to The Water Trough.
This is Ed Draws to the SmallBusiness Doctor.
So here's a question for you.
What do you do when someone saysno?
they could say no in response toa whole host of things, but
think about the times whensomeone says no when you are
looking to get a positiveresponse.

(01:03):
I could certainly say no, I'mnot interested in that.
I could say no, as in no thankyou.
But when you are activelyengaged in a selling situation,
when you're actively engaged inan idea presenting situation,
the word no and that whichaccompanies it can be pretty
disheartening.
brutally honest, but verydifficult to accept.

(01:27):
We've all been there.

Microphone (Yeti Stereo (01:28):
You're moving in for the close of a
sale.
And the client, the customer,what have you.
Looks at you and says no, notgonna go that way.
No, don't want that.
No, Not interested, don't needthat.
The first instinct is, perhapsanyway, to cringe.

(01:48):
Hopefully inside, as we don'twant people to see our outward
reflection of disappointment,even though Inside we feel quite
that way.
But how can we turn that nosituation into a positive
situation?

Microphone (Yeti Stereo M (02:02):
Let's start by reminding ourselves
that everything is accompaniedby an option.
Yes or no are two verystraightforward responses, and
so we can't assume that no won'thappen.
And while we might not like it,we have to expect that it's at
least a 50 50 probability thatit will.
Having said this, and knowingthat no will occur, how can we

(02:25):
turn this into a positivesituation?
The internal angst that we feelwhen we're rejected, is very
difficult to accept sometimes.

Microphone (Yeti Stereo Mic (02:36):
But it is quite a motivator.
That is, unless it gets in theway of our motivation.
That is, unless it becomes anexplicit demotivator and it can.
So this is our opportunity toturn no into something positive,
or as the old saying goes, whenyou're given lemons, make

(02:56):
lemonade.

Microphone (Yeti Stereo Micr (02:57):
In order to make lemonade out of
those lemons, I think there aretwo things that are important to
keep in mind.

Microphone (Yeti Stereo Mic (03:04):
The first of these is, how ready
were we when we entered intothis situation where the no
decision was made?
The second thing is to consider what
sort of information can beprovided by the person who
delivered that no decision.

Microphone (Yeti Stereo Mi (03:22):
Now, you're probably saying, listen,
whenever I go into a situation,I'm always well prepared.
I know what I'm doing.
I planned ahead and I actaccordingly.
Naturally, we all would like tothink this, but when we're faced
with a no decision, we have toacknowledge the fact that the
causes for that can, among otherthings, include.

(03:44):
Ourselves.
That is to say that our deliverymay not have been quite what we
thought it would be.
Our offering may not have beenas enticing as it could be had
we presented it in a slightlydifferent way and so on and so
forth.
So we really are best served bylooking at a no as a learning

(04:06):
opportunity.
And by looking at ourself firstof all, by looking at our
preparedness and that which wedid, which led to a no decision,
we're going to walk away withvaluable information.

Microphone (Yeti Stereo Mic (04:19):
The second thing to consider is that
we can learn from the individualwho made the no decision.
We can learn more about whatgave rise to that decision.
Now here again, just likequestioning your own
preparedness might seem awkward.
You might be thinking, why wouldI want to ask somebody why they

(04:40):
said no.
And I'm not suggesting that we'dcome right out and say, Why did
you say no?
But engaging in a conversation that
helps us understand why the nodecision is made, can guide us
in future encounters, helping usto hone our approach.

Microphone (Yeti St (05:00):
Information provided by the person making
the decision will help us tounderstand our clientele and our
customers better.
Knowing ourselves and what we'vedone for preparedness as well as
knowing what gave rise to a nodecision is information that we
can use to our benefit.

Microphone (Yeti Stereo (05:18):
Again, no may seem disheartening, but
it's a learning opportunitywhich we shouldn't pass by.

Microphone (Yeti Stereo Micr (05:26):
No can be a great motivator.
If you choose to let it, most ofus to some degree are going to
find ourselves a littledowntrod, a little upset, maybe
in some cases, a little angrywhen we hear no, and that's
okay.
it's a fair response.

(05:47):
It's a reasonable response inthe immediate sense.
But we do have the option, we dohave the choice, to then go on
and say, okay, fine, what can Ido better the next time?
No is just the tip of theiceberg.
And there's not one among us whocan say they've never

(06:09):
experienced a no.
No's are part of the package.
It's part of our expectationthat they're going to occur.
But taking that no and turningit in to an opportunity to
assess and then take appropriatesteps to hopefully prevent that
from happening again, or atleast to reduce the probability

(06:33):
of it happening again
Is worth the effort.

Microphone (Yeti Stereo Mi (06:37):
This is Ed Drozda, the small business
doctor.
And here at the water trough.
I want to wish you successful.
No encounters and healthybusiness.
Hope to see you soon.