<p><a href="http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/scan00551.jpg"><img style="border-width:0;margin:5px;" border="0" alt="scan0055" align="right" src="http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/scan0055_thumb.jpg" width="244" height="164"></a>We've all heard it said so many different ways.&nbsp; That infamous and rarely welcome message - </p> <blockquote> <p>"Don't Call Me - I'll Call You." </p></blockquote> <p>Whether it's said in the spirit of efficiency - </p> <blockquote> <p>"I don't have an answer yet - when I do, I'll call you."&nbsp; </p></blockquote> <p>or as the ultimate brush off.&nbsp; </p> <blockquote> <p>"Yeah, Yeah - I'll get back to you on that."</p></blockquote> <p>knowing when to wait and when to follow up can be a delicate dance of one step forward and two steps back.</p> <p>Whether you are an entrepreneur working on getting that next round of funding, an employee moving a decision up the corporate decision ladder, or a sales person trying to close that BIG order, it is important to be able to get over the "Don't Call Me" hurdle.&nbsp; Here are some tactics that have worked for me.&nbsp; They just might work for you too.</p> <p><strong>Ask a clear question that can be answered.</strong>&nbsp; </p> <p>Be sure to clearly state the question and make sure the other person knows what you are asking.&nbsp; Nothing is more frustrating that waiting for an answer and when it comes,&nbsp; YOUR question is still unanswered.&nbsp; When this happens you end&nbsp; up&nbsp; starting the process all over again.&nbsp; </p> <p><strong>Ask a champion to help you get an answer.</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>Just like the photo above, find someone who can help you place that call.&nbsp; Your champion may have the inside information or access to get through when you do not.</p> <p><strong>Help the other party understand why making a decision is good for THEM.</strong>&nbsp; </p> <p>While we often focus on what we need, that will not necessarily be a high priority for the other person.&nbsp; If you can demonstrate why coming to a decision is good for the person on the&nbsp; other side, you might quickly find that you are both on the SAME side.</p> <p><strong>Wishing won't make it so.</strong></p> <p>Years ago, I was waiting for a VERY important answer on a very big deal.&nbsp; If we did not have an answer that day, the deal would not go through and weeks of my team's work would have been for naught.&nbsp; I got so frustrated that I finally just sat in my office staring at the phone and willing it to ring.&nbsp; My assistant was not used to seeing me sit still that long and came in to see what was up.&nbsp; When she realized what I was doing, she started to laugh.</p> <blockquote> <p>"That's no way to get an answer.&nbsp; You have to do something to move things forward.&nbsp; Wishing won't make it so."</p></blockquote> <p>The glare I gave her would have made strong men tremble as I muttered under my breath and turned back to stare at the phone even harder.&nbsp; </p> <blockquote> <p>&nbsp; "Maybe I can help" she said.</p></blockquote> <p>With that she went back to her desk and called an assistant at the other company.&nbsp; Explaining that her boss was driving her crazy, she asked the other assistant to help.&nbsp; Within 15 minutes,&nbsp; I got my answer.&nbsp; My company got&nbsp; the deal AND my assistant got a raise.&nbsp; And, she did not even have to ask!</p> <p>So whatever you need to do to get YOUR answer, do it.&nbsp; You never know, it just might be the one you've been waiting for.</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay Tuned...</p> <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p></blockquote> <div style="display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:6f10e3f2-eeaf-4c8d-877b-33fa8ae6bd0c" class="wlWriterSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Getting%20Answers" rel="tag">Getting Answers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Making%20Decisons" rel="tag">Making Decisons</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Negotiations.%20Sales" rel="tag">Negotiations. Sales</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Business" rel="tag">Business</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Business%20Tips" rel="tag">Business Tips</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker" rel="tag">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose" rel="tag">CorePurpose</a></div>