19
Serious question, has anyone else had a client meeting go totally off the rails?
I was in a pitch meeting with a potential client in Denver last month, trying to explain our retainer structure. Halfway through, their office dog, a huge golden retriever, decided my laptop bag was a chew toy and ran off with it. The bag had my presentation notes and the only copy of our proposal. We spent the next 20 minutes chasing this dog around their open-plan office while trying to keep the conversation going. We did eventually get the bag back, but the proposal was covered in slobber. Honestly, we all laughed so hard it probably helped us land the account. What's the weirdest thing that's ever derailed a meeting for you?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
adams822mo ago
Honestly that's the best sales tactic I've ever heard. Forget the slide deck, just bring a squeaky toy next time. A slobbery proposal shows you're willing to get down in the trenches, or at least on the carpet. Bet that dog gets a finder's fee now.
7
pipergonzalez2mo ago
@adams82, that dog probably saved a boring meeting.
6
noah_black11d ago
The "slobbery proposal" line killed me, that's exactly how it works. I've been in meetings where the dog showing up mid-presentation saved the whole thing from going sideways. Pro tip if you ever try this: have a backup toy in your pocket because the first one gets dropped somewhere gross. Also make sure the dog doesn't have a thing for chewing on projector cables, learned that one the hard way. Can you imagine the look on a client's face when your presentation screen goes black mid-pitch?
1