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The Next Great Sales Tool: Marijuana?!?

November 5th, 2009 @ 11:20 am

Categories: Humor, Sales Tips, Watercooler

Tags: Sales Tool, Potato Chip Stock, Sales Strategy, Sales Force Management, Sales, Geoffrey James

Today’s New York Times contains an article explaining how some businesses are locating next to “medical” marijuana stores, as well as advertising to attract “medical” marijuana users.  The businesses in the article sell “munchies” appropriate for the suddenly ravenous, but I know a trend when I see it.

For millenia, sales professionals have used alcohol to loosen up customers, build rapport and move a sale forward.  So, with marijuana going legal, how long do you think it will be before sales pros and prospects start lighting up a doobie before (or after) doing some serious business?

And I’m not entirely sure that’s a good idea.

I must admit that my specific experiences with marijuana fall into the general category of “if you can remember the 60s you weren’t really there.”

However, I do recall that pot smokers were dull conversationalists.  The typical example either talked about 1) how stoned he was; 2) how stoned he was last time he got stoned; or 3) his ear.

That last item might require a bit of explanation.  For some reason, every time somebody took a hit of pot, they’d hand the joint to the next person and say “Ear.”  I never did figure out why.

Anyway, I’m having trouble imagining what kind of business deals will emerge from these smokey powwows.  I do know one thing, though.  The stock prices for potato chip firms will rise through the roof!!

Anyway, here’s an (anonymous) poll so you can express your opinion freely:

Would You Smoke Marijuana with a Client?

View Results

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  •  
    1

    LeahRust

    11/05/09 | Report as spam

    RE: The Next Great Sales Tool: Marijuana?!?

    I'm honestly shocked at that anyone would think that this would be a good sales tool. You are 100% right when you say that alcohol has been used to butter up a prospect- sports games, dinners, concerts, or flat out sending a bottle of wine as a gift, but for some reason I think crossing into "pot prospecting" is one step too far.

  •  
    2

    lborst

    11/05/09 | Report as spam

    RE: The Next Great Sales Tool: Marijuana?!?

    What are those people smoking who said yes?

  •  
    3

    afriden

    11/05/09 | Report as spam

    RE: The Next Great Sales Tool: Marijuana?!?

    I remember now doing a business deal with a very large client and both the client and I smoked a few joints after dinner. It seems that the next morning we couldn't remember what we had agreed upon and the deal fell thought. That alone was a "life lesson"

  •  
    4

    Emp Rx

    11/06/09 | Report as spam

    RE: The Next Great Sales Tool: Marijuana?!?

    How is smoking a joint together with a prospect or client any different than a night out at the bar. It is the social engagement that solidifies a "relationship". I would think some people skills were already employed to get to this position.

    Careful negotiations or contractual issues are generally before or after items.

  •  
    5

    smackintosh

    11/06/09 | Report as spam

    RE: The Next Great Sales Tool: Marijuana?!?

    LOL - when entertaining clients I don't get "hammered" to the point I have no clue what we are talking about - why is pot any different? It is all about the relationship you develop with your client - if it develops into a genuine friendship (which some clients believe never happens with vendors because when the deal is done - they are off to the next prospect) then you are just smoking a dube with a buddy - who happens to be a client. If the relationship has not gotten to that point you may want to leave the bong in the car or on the mentle at home and settle for a glass of bordeaux - besides how do you expense a couple of joints and three bags of chips - oh yea mileage LOL

  •  
    6

    bitfarmer

    11/06/09 | Report as spam

    RE: The Next Great Sales Tool: Marijuana?!?

    It's just a method of socializing with a client, similar to drinking or dining or smoking a cigar (which I personally won't do) - it has to be within the client's preference set, and if it yours as well then why not - legal or not, it's been done. With some good customers I had in Cali, it was their preferred after dinner relaxation and get to know you better method. I don't know what you were smoking (indica most likely) but some varieties of marijuana can be quite energetic and the conversation flows just fine - as do the laughs, and we all know a happy, laughing customer pays pretty well.

  •  
    7

    CAMADOR777

    11/06/09 | Report as spam

    RE: The Next Great Sales Tool: Marijuana?!?

    i think they were saying "here", as is here is the joint...take it. I do believe the people you were smoking marijuana with were either: A. were inexperienced pot smokers or B. of low intelligence if they were unable to hold a meaningful conversation. I have personally smoked with clients and know other salesman that have as well, in California this type of activity is not frowned upon by salesman (upper managment on the other hand...).

  •  
    8

    globalfabllc

    11/06/09 | Report as spam

    RE: The Next Great Sales Tool: Marijuana?!?

    "ear", of course, was to keep from losing inhaled smoke with the percussive "H". The longer they hold it in, the better the high as explained by BH=(LH/QM) - P

  •  
    9

    Emp Rx

    11/06/09 | Report as spam

    RE: The Next Great Sales Tool: Marijuana?!?

    globalfabllc - I have tried to equate your formula but I'm stumped. Is the p for potato chip?

  •  
    10

    Geoffrey James, Sales Machine

    11/06/09 | Report as spam

    RE: The Next Great Sales Tool: Marijuana?!?

    Re Notes 7 and 8:
    Just for the record, the "ear" thing was, uh..., a joke. As evidenced by my using it as a choice on the poll.

  •  
    11

    slotty

    11/08/09 | Report as spam

    RE: The Next Great Sales Tool: Marijuana?!?

    I can see the tongue in cheek aspect of all this, however how well does any sale go down when the professional is out of their element, and acting unnaturally in order to get a sale. Aside from the stereotypes and prejudices demonstrated in the comments above it comes down to. If your client smokes, and you do as well, then Marijuana is already a sales tool; if not it is a fools errand to place yourself in potential physical, emotional and professional harm.

  •  
    12

    middleaged

    11/09/09 | Report as spam

    RE: The Next Great Sales Tool: Marijuana?!?

    Ear obviously was a shortened version of "ear you go mate".

    I find a line of coke is much better, heroin is too fiddly and very downmarket.

    Being a perceptive sort, I'm guessing this wasn't the world's most serious post.

  •  
    13

    claudine.wheeler@...

    11/09/09 | Report as spam

    RE: The Next Great Sales Tool: Marijuana?!?

    Hey, why on earth not?....
    I personally have thought of many reasons that, considering
    booze is in most parts of the world legal, why not Marijuana?
    Living in South Africa, I am aware of far more tragedy which
    is caused by alcohol in terms of domestic violence, road
    accidents, rape, oh man, the list is endless... anyway, my
    point is, if alcohol is legal, so to should Marijuana. I'd like to
    see many more people interact while stoned rather than
    stressed, drunk or frustrated, we may just find be around
    each other much more tolerable.
    I don't see why on earth not!
    Should the customer agree, of course..... happy

  •  
    14

    globalfabllc

    11/09/09 | Report as spam

    RE: The Next Great Sales Tool: Marijuana?!?

    Re: 9
    Better High = Longer Held/Quality Marij. - Percussive (Consonants) "Ear!"
    There prob will be a time when Marij. makes it into business discourse. Who knows? Your customer may have a medical issue that needs treating. Just train yourself to listen for the "Ear" in the noisy bar. Frankly, a couple of friendly drinks are fine, but I have seen business drinking go well beyond and I would suggest some people would make less of an ass of themselves by smoking weed than by their excessive drinking.

  •  
    15

    Emp Rx

    11/10/09 | Report as spam

    RE: The Next Great Sales Tool: Marijuana?!?

    14 - I agree, hemp over hops!!!

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