The story is this, my manager asked me if we had a certain type of machine in stock that he needed for a hire the next day, quickly thinking i replied "No" (The truth) as we did not have the correct peice of equipment ready for his hire, he accused me of being to negative, and should respond to him in a more positive manner, please tell me how i can say "NO" positively?
2007-03-14 11:18:29 · 20 answers · asked by spud 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
You could have said something like:-
No we dont have it in stock today but it will be here .......
No we dont, but I'll order it straight away.
It a negative answer but with a positive ending
Hope that helps.
2007-03-14 11:22:37 · answer #1 · answered by Sugarlump 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Your manager is trying to get you to use a popular sales trick that is used most commonly in the restaurant trade.
The answer is to never say no.
eg.
Client: Do you have any of the 1982 Château Mouton-Rothschild?
Waiter: Actually, Sir, we have a few bottles of the '82 Lafite, which I would suggest would much better suit your main course.
or:
Client: Could I have the Lamb please?
Waiter: I'm afraid our supplier was unable to get enough of the correct meat to us this week, sir, so might I suggest.........
or, to use your example:
Client: Do you have any [Machine X] available for hire tomorrow?
Salesperson: We are expecting one of our [Machine X] to be returned in the morning, so it should be available, but might I offer an alternative in case it doesn't arrive back in time?
I hope this helps. The trick is to use 30 or 40 words where just 1 will do and never use the words 'No' or 'Can't' without qualifying it. This is lesson 1 in Restauranting but applies in all types of sales environment.
2007-03-15 06:24:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it wasn`t the fact you said no but how you said it. If this happens again I would say " I`m sure we haven`t but I`ll check to make certain", That way you have said No but not been abrupt. Some Managers need a little gentle handling as some have inflated egos.
2007-03-14 11:24:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I see where you're coming from - it's a bit of an oxymoron isn't it?! =) But you could have said "I'm afraid we don't have that at the moment, but maybe X would be of some use....." I reckon though he was having a bad day though - it was a very strange thing to say!
2007-03-14 11:27:39 · answer #4 · answered by dot254 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely Not
2007-03-14 11:21:10 · answer #5 · answered by jay k 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He's actually telling you to lie. Someone asks for something you don't have, find something you do have that meets some of what they want and flog them that instead. Or he has found his inner jerk and needs to be told where to go.
2007-03-14 11:22:54 · answer #6 · answered by Finbarr D 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
NO now bu99er off that sounds pretty positive to me.
2007-03-14 11:45:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like he is just busting your chops. Probably a power trip. Don't let it get under your skin. He's just being a jerk.
2007-03-14 11:29:53 · answer #8 · answered by FaerieWhings 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I agree, "Sorry, but no"... Sorry is the key word.. but tone of voice will play an even bigger role
2007-03-14 11:26:30 · answer #9 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you could say let me double check and make sure before saying no. or "i don't believe we have it but let me check to make sure" say it very calmly. make it sound like you are tyring to help.
2007-03-14 11:45:04 · answer #10 · answered by lucifer d 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋