Let's say I have a Chinese accent, although I was raised and born here in the states would that affect my productivity, if I were to target only Caucasian, since that's my primarily market.
Maybe, probably not. A lot depends on where you are and what you are trying to sell. If there is an Asian community where you live, I would think you would do better there. That is a very closed community, seem unwilling to deal with "outsiders".
I wouldn't think it would be any more of a factor in sales than it would be in your daily life. Bob has an excellent point as well, in that it may actually help you break into more insular cultures. I know I'd love to be able to do more business with the very large Korean and Japanese population in nearby Duluth, but I've found it difficult to gain trust over there.
Don't worry about it. And, most importantly, don't use it as an excuse! Get out there and sell. Hard work and constant activity will make up for a lot of handicaps.
I have trouble selling in the Jewish and Gentile communities near me. Also seem to be having difficulty with While, Black and Hispanic. Asians don't seem to like me either. Native Americans won't talk to me.
Men hate me and women hate me more. I have a face for phone sales but my personality turns people off.
Good thing I'm self-employed.
Rick
------------------------------------ ILIAA
Training, Community, Support, and Success Independent Life Insurance Agents Assn rick@iliaa.org
People are going to perceive you the way you perceive yourself.
If you think it is going to be a problem then most likely it will be, if you don't then I doubt that it will.
If it is something you look for in people, in their eyes, body language and speech then most likely you will see it. You will see it because they will be responding to the way you are acting. They may be seeing prejudice in you toward them.
If you treat them as people then they will treat you the same.
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Medicare Supplement Sales Training and Coaching.
"The Perfect Contact Management Program (CMP) for the Insurance Professional" www.YourInsuranceOffice.com
877.633.0808
I would say that prejudice is the wrong word; preference would possibly be a better fit. IMHO!
I think Andrew is right. People often prefer to do biz with those that they can identify with, especially in conservative sections of the country like Arkansas where he works.
Here in Northern California we have such a diverse mix and a generally liberal political climate that cultural and ethnic considerations are not as dramatic.
I wouldn't think it would be any more of a factor in sales than it would be in your daily life.
I think that people who have prejudices, whether conscious or unconscious, may not display them in many situations. Only an over the top bigot is likely to be rude to me in a restaurant or grocery store.
However the covert racist or sexist may decide not to do business with you based their prejudices. He or she may not even know why they don't want to do business with you.
You'll have to decide what you want to present to your potential clients. I was a young pup when I started in the business in 1985. I did my best to appear older. I purchased some ugly eyeglasses and dressed very conservatively.
I wasn't about to lighten my skin or straighten my hair (even though I was a Michael Jackson fan at the time.)
Being different can be a negative, but plenty of "different" people have made it as sales people. You may have to work a little harder than your neighbor, but enough of the variables are within your control to make up for the sales you lose based on your perceived ethnicity.
I personally think that a light accent makes a person seem more worldly. However a heavy accent makes conversations difficult.
If your accent is thick, I would suggest working on it. If you are hard to understand, people will have a hard time doing business with you even if they want to do business with you.
I think that people who have prejudices, whether conscious or unconscious, may not display them in many situations. Only an over the top bigot is likely to be rude to me in a restaurant or grocery store.
However the covert racist or sexist may decide not to do business with you based their prejudices. He or she may not even know why they don't want to do business with you.
You'll have to decide what you want to present to your potential clients. I was a young pup when I started in the business in 1985. I did my best to appear older. I purchased some ugly eyeglasses and dressed very conservatively.
I wasn't about to lighten my skin or straighten my hair (even though I was a Michael Jackson fan at the time.)
Being different can be a negative, but plenty of "different" people have made it as sales people. You may have to work a little harder than your neighbor, but enough of the variables are within your control to make up for the sales you lose based on your perceived ethnicity.
I personally think that a light accent makes a person seem more worldly. However a heavy accent makes conversations difficult.
If your accent is thick, I would suggest working on it. If you are hard to understand, people will have a hard time doing business with you even if they want to do business with you.
I have trouble selling in the Jewish and Gentile communities near me. Also seem to be having difficulty with While, Black and Hispanic. Asians don't seem to like me either. Native Americans won't talk to me.
Men hate me and women hate me more. I have a face for phone sales but my personality turns people off.
Good thing I'm self-employed.
Rick
I've heard that Chumps loves you, Rick. BTW how do they treat you in the Muslim communities?
I think that people who have prejudices, whether conscious or unconscious, may not display them in many situations. Only an over the top bigot is likely to be rude to me in a restaurant or grocery store.
However the covert racist or sexist may decide not to do business with you based their prejudices. He or she may not even know why they don't want to do business with you.
You'll have to decide what you want to present to your potential clients. I was a young pup when I started in the business in 1985. I did my best to appear older. I purchased some ugly eyeglasses and dressed very conservatively.
I wasn't about to lighten my skin or straighten my hair (even though I was a Michael Jackson fan at the time.)
Being different can be a negative, but plenty of "different" people have made it as sales people. You may have to work a little harder than your neighbor, but enough of the variables are within your control to make up for the sales you lose based on your perceived ethnicity.
I personally think that a light accent makes a person seem more worldly. However a heavy accent makes conversations difficult.
If your accent is thick, I would suggest working on it. If you are hard to understand, people will have a hard time doing business with you even if they want to do business with you.
"Being different can be a negative, but plenty of "different" people have made it as sales people. You may have to work a little harder than your neighbor, but enough of the variables are within your control to make up for the sales you lose based on your perceived ethnicity."
Great advice. Also as stated by other posters he may be seen more favorable by people that look like him. Racism goes both ways. You just learn to straddle the line.
"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change." Charles Darwin
Man, these insurance agents from the Deep South sure do have a funny accent----can hardly be understood; however, they seem to do quite well.
That is because our clients talk just like we do... You would sound funny to us.
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Mark Rosenthal aka markingriffin
IMO/Ins Agent/Agent Trainer/Free Advice markcrosenthal@aol.comwww.realfastservice.com
Please visit mywebsite to learn more about me.
Email me for my Free Prospecting MP3 Tapes.
People are going to perceive you the way you perceive yourself.
If you think it is going to be a problem then most likely it will be, if you don't then I doubt that it will.
If it is something you look for in people, in their eyes, body language and speech then most likely you will see it. You will see it because they will be responding to the way you are acting. They may be seeing prejudice in you toward them.
If you treat them as people then they will treat you the same.
That is so absolutely true!!! I have seen several producers with "accents" who would put others with no accent to shame (and they market to everyone). If you think you're likable, then others will think you're likable. If you think you're smart, so will others. If you think your accent turns people off, then they will be turned off by your accent. If you think your accent is kind of "cute" and adds to your personality then others will think the same. You must believe in yourself like it's a religion.
Whether you are Black, Hispanic, Jewish, Muslim, Asian or a Browns fan, it all evens out. Sure, you'll run into some loonies, but you'll make up the difference...quickly.
Mehdi Fakharzadeh is one of the most successful insurance sales agents in the world. He is the author of Nothing Is Impossible and Everything Is Possible. 82-Year old Mehdi Fakharzadeh remains very active servicing his ever-increasing number of clients. He has achieved massive heights despite great odds against his success. Mehdi has spoken in over forty countries and presently makes over fifty platform presentations to financial groups each year. Mehdi explained, "Often the benefits of your product make their own best case. Accurate facts about good products may be their own best sales pitch. You can explain the positive differences these products make in the prospect's situation. In responding to leads, honest and accurate product information often makes a strong appeal for you, once the prospect understands the benefits."
Is There Prejudice in Insurance...
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