You can't stop me; but I'll keep you informed

[BroosterB1]

OK, by now you all have figured out that I may just be a bit different. As the title says "You can't stop me, but I will keep you informed".

What the heck am I talking about? Recently, another thread got me thinking, what if I could work the kilt into some form of a sales approach? I am a sales man by profession and a minister by avocation. I am not new to sales by any means, having sold something or another from the age of 15. While other guys had paper routes, I was selling fish off the back of a refer truck.

At any rate, the notion I had was that a guy in a kilt could really be something to build a initial sales approach around. In the sales profession there is a thing called the "Cold Call", ie walking up to an unsuspecting prospect and making a short but memorable presentation. I have always stayed away from this form of selling as unprofessional and basic. However, with a change of economic climate comes a need for innovation.

Added to the current economic situation is the fact that the business I am in historically goes south for the next two months. I have a very short week coming up to do something, and I need an edge. So this is what I am going to do.

I have just made up another DBA for one of my corporations: Highland Processing; Superior Credit Card Processing at Affordable Rates. I have printed up about 250 business cards with a Highlander motif, and I have designed a two sided flier to be handed out. Armed with these resources it is my intention to make 100 cold calls on prospective clients in three days (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) in a business attired kilt. (for the un-informed this is a lot of calls in a very short period).

My reasoning is this; I have nothing to lose, I might as well do something, and a brassy approach just might shake the tree to produce some fruit. I am viewing this as an experiment in human engineering. If you combine something you love (sales and Kilts) with something you dislike (cold calls) will one over power the other? What reception will I get when I arrive unannounced in a full kit and kilt? Especially when I am talking about saving the prospective client money? This should be fun!

Also on the line is $1000. I have two business associates who are betting $500 a piece that 1) I won't do it and 2) I can't see that many people in three days. I don't know about you guys but an extra grand makes me see visions of a Lady Crystal Box pleat with maybe a nice PC for my wedding business!

I'll keep you informed. Ah, the Power of the Kilt!

[English Bloke]

Being one who could not sell matches to an arsonist, I wish you the very best of luck but a buckshee grand for having commitment sounds like a win-win to me. Lady Crystel's creations are surely a tempting lure.

Go for it!!

[Carolina Kiltman]

Being one who could not sell matches to an arsonist, I wish you the very best of luck but a buckshee grand for having commitment sounds like a win-win to me. Lady Crystel's creations are surely a tempting lure.

Go for it!!

Also as one who would have trouble selling life preservers to passengers on a sinking ship, all I can say, is More Power to You!

Keep us informed of the outcome.

[Nighthawk]

Yes, please. I'm trying to do the same. Have you thought about getting a few t shirts made and just walking around the mall with business t shirt and kilt? I'm a graphic designer by trade and would be happy to do a few shirt designs for you. I'm doing a few for my own business in January.

[BroosterB1]

Yes, please. I'm trying to do the same. Have you thought about getting a few t shirts made and just walking around the mall with business t shirt and kilt? I'm a graphic designer by trade and would be happy to do a few shirt designs for you. I'm doing a few for my own business in January.

Hawk, my brother, anything you can do would be greatly appreciated. I think together we can find a solution to both of our problems. I'll keep you in the loop.

[Nighthawk]

Hawk, my brother, anything you can do would be greatly appreciated. I think together we can find a solution to both of our problems. I'll keep you in the loop.

I will start on a design for you. I have a couple hundred different Celtic knot designs- some are my own, and some I own the copyright to. I'll be sending you a PM.

[RockyR]

I'll be very interested to hear the outcome. Best of luck!

[Nick the DSM]

hmm, interesting. keep us informed!

[sathor]

so your doing the whole 'let me set you up with credit card processing ability or try to give you better rates than you are currently getting, as long as you have a decent credit score and meet minimum monthly amounts' routine?

(I know I need one when I open my store, but my credit sucks, and I'm more than a few states away.)

[Riverkilt]

Great idea. I've often wondered why all businesses with Scottish names didn't have tartan themes. I was 27 years in corporate sales and marketing, before that selling door to door newspaper subscriptions. Have made a LOT of cold calls over the years in the markets I served. Ya gotta have a gimmick is sound advice. I'll bet you make it past many receptionists just so the receptionist can show you off to the boss. And, if the boss is a lady I KNOW you're gonna get at least a chance to pitch her.

Its so ironic that in these tough times some businesses prohibit kilts when kilted staff could up their sales.

Kilts are great for referrals too. As a counselor I get many referrals. One local judge just loves to send folks to "the guy in the kilt" for their DUI screenings.

In addition to the new business you'll soon be harvesting it sounds like you'll also be $1,000 richer...and its only fitting that you spend that windfall on a hand sewn kilt and accessories for it.

Ron