THE DONATION-RESPONSE STRATAGEM
Several years ago, I was inundated with calls asking for donations. We all were! When my wife answered such a call, I was appalled with her brusque response: “We’ve already chosen our charities for the year” and then she would hang up. “How rude!” I would say (to myself, of course). “Have you no empathy for the caller? Can’t you treat them with respect?”
So when I would answer, I would listen with empathy. I cared! And after several minutes of boredom, I would try and end the call with no commitment. More often, however, I would agree to donate some small amount ($25 – $50), adding “Send me an invoice in the mail” – which I rarely paid. Which inevitably led to follow-up notices in the mail and calls (which led to me fearing the sound of the phone ring. Think about the harm done by me being a “nice guy”:
to the CHARITY CALLER I wasted their time!I made it difficult for them to reach their daily call quota. I wasted charity resources in following up with calls and invoices. | to ME I’ve wasted my time!By not planning on paying the invoice, I’ve “cheated my soul”!By avoiding mail and phone calls, I lived in fear. |
I dreaded those calls, yet – being a “nice guy” – I couldn’t say “no”!
Until my wife one day gave me some ground-breaking advice – she told me to simply say, “We’ve already chosen our charities for the year” and then hang up.
I did, but added “But I wish you well, and have a great day!” to maintain my “nice guy” image. And then I hung up.
AN ACTIONABLE ITEM
Niceness led to dishonesty, and many unfavorable consequences. A simple well-rehearsed “plan of action” consistent with what I was thinking changed my life – literally!