Handling those pesky Gatekeepers, or Gatekeepers can be your friend (Part 2 of 3)
What is the best way to handle Gatekeepers? (Part Two of Three)
Last week when I introduced the topic of handling Gatekeepers, I suggested that you ask the Gatekeeper to put you through to the bosses’ voicemail whenever possible (given the choice of leaving the message with them and assuming the boss isn’t available). This week we’ll talk about the situation when the Gatekeeper tells you they will take a message. I call this technique the concept of ‘Pattern Interruption.
If you look at one of those old fashioned ‘While You Were Out’ pads, they all use the same order of blanks:
- Date
- Caller’s Name
- Caller’s Company
- Caller’s Phone No.
- Reason for the Call
Good Gatekeepers want to know what the reason for the call is as we discussed last time. Here is a way to reduce the risk of them quizzing you too much on that topic.
First of all, use your curiosity type of message just like you would on a voicemail. “I’m calling in regards to the XYZ company,” (a competitor of theirs that you’ve done business with) for instance. But here’s the trick. Use the concept of ‘Pattern Interruption’ when you recite your information and end up with your phone number being the last thing you tell them:
- Date
- Caller’s Name
- Caller’s Company
- Reason for the Call
- Caller’s Phone No.
If the Gatekeeper is busy, they won’t come back and ask you more about the reason for the call. If they’re really good, they still will ask. If they do, then tell them exactly why you’re calling. As a matter of fact, just use the same approach you’d use on the boss.
In the next installment, we’ll talk more about what to put in those voicemails.
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