Need Help sounding Professional

About a week ago a posted a question on the forum about looking for a Ewaste buyer in the Wisconsin area. I appreciate the all the comments back. I would like to move forward with contacting some companies that where proposed, but that is where my conflict comes in. I do not what to so sound like some uneducated recycler and a complete moron when I call. Does anyone have good suggestions to start off the call? Like who to ask for? or how I should go about this. I am just worry about coming across professional and would like to make a good impression. Sorry to sound a little long winded. Nevertheless, I would really like to proceed forward with this. Thanks again for any pertinent input.

Buckatabon

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by buckatabon

About a week ago a posted a question on the forum about looking for a Ewaste buyer in the Wisconsin area. I appreciate the all the comments back. I would like to move forward with contacting some companies that where proposed, but that is where my conflict comes in. I do not what to so sound like some uneducated recycler and a complete moron when I call. Does anyone have good suggestions to start off the call? Like who to ask for? or how I should go about this. I am just worry about coming across professional and would like to make a good impression. Sorry to sound a little long winded. Nevertheless, I would really like to proceed forward with this. Thanks again for any pertinent input.

Buckatabon

---

We all have to learn. It sounds to me like you're more worried about not knowing everything before you call and having that come out during the conversation.

If you already knew everything, you wouldn't need to call anyone, right?

Just write down a list of the top 5 questions you need answered, and work from that when you call. Sounding professional just takes being prepared. Don't worry about what you don't know, just focus on being polite and asking the questions you need answered.

People don't expect you to have a Phd. They have phone numbers so people will call them and begin a process that will be mutually beneficial. They're there to help.

One of the biggest concerns we have is what to do when asked a question that we dont know the answer to. I'm always prepared to answer ANY question, because if i dont know i say "thats a great question, but i dont have an answer for you right now. Can I get back to you (in an hour, tomorrow, etc.)". Buy yourself some time to get an answer and think about his next follow up question as well. We all want to have the right answers immediately every time, but it just doesnt happen. Be truthful if you dont know, because most people reward honesty and can sniff out BS in a hearbeat.

Ggariepy,

Thanks for the quick response back. I understand where you are coming from in your reply post. I defiantly do not have a problem with talking with people. My wife says I can talk to anyone and about anything, because I have the gift of gab. It is just different when you are talking business. I want to sound professional, intelligent, and not be taken advantage of. I guess I need to work on my speaking confidence skills.

Buckatabon
 

learn the faq and don't sound really needed turns people off. and don't pressure anyone really bad for business. you should watch how people handle business calls somewhere you'll learn...

It sound like you are going to be giving the company you are calling business if I'm not mistaken. If that is the case, the people you are calling should be more than happy to teach you how they grade material and how they want material sorted, cleaned, etc.. Even if you have all the experience in the world, every recycler does things a little bit differently so they should understand if you are not used to prepping your material the way they prefer. At our yard we put a huge emphasis on educating our customers because it helps them make a little more cash and it usually saves us on labor.

I believe each buyer has a very lengthy thread in the buyers section. Read them all, taking particular note of things you don't understand, and do a search for those, things you can't find specific answers to, message them and ask. By the time you've read the buyers threads alone you will have developed a better comprehension not only of the materials, but of the individual buyers themselves.

Are you calling on the phone? If you are speek proper english, introduce your self and let them know what your looking for. Ask if you can get an apiontment to meat with them to discuse how they what your matarial. ware clean close, be honist, if don't know something let them know by saying something like "thats why I wanted to come and talk to you". Most buyers will answer all your questions and even give you a tour of thiere warehouse. Honisty and integrity are the two most important things in busness. That's my 2 cents.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by happyscraper

Are you calling on the phone? If you are speek proper english, introduce your self and let them know what your looking for. Ask if you can get an apiontment to meat with them to discuse how they what your matarial. ware clean close, be honist, if don't know something let them know by saying something like "thats why I wanted to come and talk to you". Most buyers will answer all your questions and even give you a tour of thiere warehouse. Honisty and integrity are the two most important things in busness. That's my 2 cents.

---

Methinks we need a spellcheck button on here :)

Experience comes through doing. I know your first time out is scary as hell. At least mine was. However, you MUST make that first step and then the next one. You will become more orderly and experienced with each new phone call or transaction. Also. Never stop reading AND doing. What I mean is. Read every post you can on scrap but also keep processing scrap. That way you can really be truthful when you say you can "walk the walk AND talk the talk".

You can not hike the mountain of success with out taking the first step. Also, you don't really just want to sound professional. You want to BE professional, and that means a lot of knowledge and experience. If it will help you. You can always practice on a friend. Practice you phone conversation skills before you jump into a business deal. It may make all the difference in the world.

Most of all. Know what questions\concerns you want to address and stick to them. That way you do not become confused and start rambling.

I hope my tid-bit of advice will help you. I wish you the very best of luck!

People I ask for are:
Commodities coordinator, or asset manager. Not saying this is best, but usually who I end up talking to at larger companies regardless.