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The Assistant Buyer

I often suggest to salespeople that they get away from what I call the “Hat Syndrome”. This occurs when I see myself with a “Sales Hat” on my head, and I see my prospect wearing their own “Buyer’s Hat”. As soon as my perspective is about our roles, it diminishes my ability to see this relationship as between two people. I launch into my sales role, and I expect my prospect to act like a typical customer.

The entire notion speaks to the concept of an adversarial relationship, which we know of course is counter-productive to our purpose. Instead, I rather like the idea that I can come alongside my prospect with a partnership mentality. I can see myself as the “Assistant Buyer.”

This mindset relies upon the concept of having a shared sense of purpose. The customer has a goal – a dream – and I am committed to making that dream come true. When I see myself as an Assistant Buyer it changes my behavior. I concentrate more on thinking how they think. I anticipate their needs. I get them more involved in the emotional side of the experience.

When I see myself as an Assistant Buyer….I change their world!

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  • Del Barbray
    WOW, what a fantastic post, Jeff
    I really like your idea of developing a relationship with a prospect as the "assistant buyer" instead of as the new home sales person. Being the "assistant buyer" does change the perspective for you as the new home sales person and will allow you to understand more fully how the buyer is feeling and what their true motivations are for looking for a new home.
    I'm looking forward to developing relationships with my prospects as their "assistant buyer" so I can better understand why they are looking for a new home, what they are looking for and most importantly I can get them more emotionally involved in the experience.
    Thank you for sharing your knowledge about new home sales person and prospect relationships.
    You do a GREAT job.
    Regards,
    Del Barbray
  • Abrown
    Very true..often times when were going through our Sales Path we expect them to answer every question like a typical customer and expect the conversation to go as smoothly as it does when we practice with our peers. I like the term "assistant buyer" to remind myself of why they are there and to make it as easy for them as I can!
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