Administrative Professionals Day

There are times when I attempt to set a sales appointment with a decision-maker where it is difficult to get past the key person in the office who determines who gets to speak with the boss. Sometimes I have to be a bit creative as to why I need to talk to the decision-maker because the person who answers the phone is really good as what she does.

As with every phone call I make, I always announce who I am and what I do. When I ask to speak to the person who makes most of the decisions, I am often asked by the receptionist, "Can I tell him/her what this is regarding? " This is where it helps to be creative. If I tell the person who answers the phone that I need to speak with her boss because I want to sell him/her advertising, I know, more often than not, the person I need to speak with will suddenly be on the phone, out of the office or with a customer.

But if I tell the receptionist that I am calling to give the decision-maker some important information or a sales lead or that I need to speak with the owner to discuss "investment opportunities ", I am usually able to get connected to the decision-maker if he/she is available.

Sometimes key personnel are most appreciated when a problem arises in the office and that key person is not there to remedy the situation. Last week I had a disagreement with my office printer. Actually, the printer did not get along with the paper that was being fed through the machine. Of course, my office manager would have solved the problem immediately had she not have the day off. I had to call a technician who fixed the paper jam in about eight seconds.

This coming week (Apr. 23-27) is Administrative Professionals Week. Please take time to thank the key people in the office who make everyone else's job easier. Even the really good office professionals who answer the phone and make it difficult for sales people to speak with decision-makers should be applauded. Especially by the people who sales people need to see.

RANDOM NOTE: Every once in a while I tune into TVG on my DirecTV package to watch live horse racing. While I waited to watch the feature race of the day last weekend, I paid particular attention to the #5 horse in the 7th race at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington,KY. Many times, I am attracted to the name of the horse, and, in this instance, I recognized the phrase that coincided with the name of the #5 horse.

"Save Big Money " paid three times whatever was invested by a bettor after it came from behind to win the race. I want to congratulate the co-owner of the horse, John R. Menard.