Re: Enterprise development: Its ok to say No!

Saying "No" ... You should never say "No". Remember - you're are, first and foremost, as a human being in some organization, a salesperson. It doesn't matter what position you do or what skills you have. It doesn't matter because you are attempting to sell your ideas / experience / qualifications / whatever to someone else.

If you ask an experienced salesperson, you'll learn that one should always emphasize the positive and de-emphasize the negative.

Don't say "No, you stupid ass!". Say "Hmmm ... could you explain a little more what you're trying to do?"

Don't say "No, you bumbling fool!". Say "Let me study the problem and I'll get back to you tomorrow."

In short, coddle the stupid bumbling fool/ass, make them happy, and now you've got a friend for later usage.

P.S. - Do you ever want to know whether the accountant is using method A or method B? You have to train your customers to think the same about you. And, do you think of an accountant as an engineer or a craftsman?

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We are the carpenters and bricklayers of the Information Age.

Please remember that I'm crufty and crochety. All opinions are purely mine and all code is untested, unless otherwise specified.

Comment on Re: Enterprise development: Its ok to say No!

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Re: Re: Enterprise development: Its ok to say No! by inman (Curate) on Dec 17, 2003 at 09:45 UTC
"No" is a perfectly legitimate response to any question as long as it is followed up by the reason why. An experienced salesman will always try and understand the needs of the customer and work with them to provide useful information. A salesman who adopts this approach is likely to initiate a long term relationship which leads to repeat sales. The ability to say "No" is vital for survival. How many children would be around today if their parents had said "Jonny, I think that you had better consider the effect that putting your finger in the electrical socket will have on your future" rather than "No! Don't do that!!". Adults are like children but with less honesty. We spend all our time trying to please others even if this means hiding the truth and distorting the facts. Taken to extremes, this is called politics - we all trust politicians, don't we? Technology projects of any kind can succeed or fail for numerous reasons. Lack of trust and poor communication between implementors and decision makers plays an important part in how a small mistake can become a catastrophe. The ability to say "No" is a vital first step to truth and openness.	[reply]

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Re: Re: Enterprise development: Its ok to say No!
by inman (Curate) on Dec 17, 2003 at 09:45 UTC

The ability to say "No" is vital for survival. How many children would be around today if their parents had said "Jonny, I think that you had better consider the effect that putting your finger in the electrical socket will have on your future" rather than "No! Don't do that!!".

Adults are like children but with less honesty. We spend all our time trying to please others even if this means hiding the truth and distorting the facts. Taken to extremes, this is called politics - we all trust politicians, don't we?

Technology projects of any kind can succeed or fail for numerous reasons. Lack of trust and poor communication between implementors and decision makers plays an important part in how a small mistake can become a catastrophe. The ability to say "No" is a vital first step to truth and openness.

[reply]