What Can the Three Stooges Teach You About Selling Copiers

 

Is there a Stooge in you waiting to clinch that next deal with a dash of humor?

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to the most insidious earworm known to mankind.  One listen and you'll be humming the tune and looking for this song in that big book of karaoke.

But seriously, what in the world can you, the technology salesperson possibly learn from the Three Stooges?  

Let's start at the beginning.  For those unfamiliar with the comedic threesome, The Three Stooges were an act back in the days of vaudeville back in the 1930s and 40s.  They performed slapstick comedy.  Beyond the intense physical presentations, the trio took on Hitler as well as other 'heady' topics of the time.

"From their debut film feature Soup to Nuts in 1930, to their swan song Kook's Tour in 1970, The Three Stooges enthralled the viewing public with their unusual brand of slapstick comedic mayhem and off-the-wall verbal antics."

Today, in predictable 'snowflake' for the soft, never-drank-out-of-a-hose contemporary fashion, some feel the Stooges too violent. 

Poppy-cock. 

Like most successful, satirical acts, the edge between entertainment and really good comedy/satire is both entertaining and reflective.  Of course, I'm referring to successful satire.

"And I, the Count of Ten?" "No, you are Baron of Grey Matter."

The question is can you learn ANYTHING of value pertaining to sales and selling from a pre-historic comedic act?

Sure, something. Maybe. Try these suggestions on for size:

Be thoughtful - everything is a script, all the world a stage

The Three Stooges, George Carlin, and Dave Chappelle wrote/documented a list of jokes, a script for each show.  They pre-planned in a very thoughtful manner, what they were going to say right down the pronunciation, syllable and delivery.

The vehicle is basic, the world complex, yet the message is sophisticated in its simplicity.  Think about how your prospect works and what impact you will have on their life.  Will they finish tasks quicker and what does that mean for the family?  Do your words follow a train of thought that is relevant to prospects not your manager, OEM or ownership?

Think.

Be entertaining - at the audience's level

Empathy. Identifiable. Relatable. 

These days are complicated but so different from those gone by.  There is are many common denominators in the human experience - humor.  Find it, be it.  Nobody expects you to be the next Bill Burr or Bobby Lee, but at least find some levity in what you do, how you present your ideas and how see the world. 

Plan on a misfeed during the demo. "I'm glad that happened."

Be relaxed - don't take yourself so seriously

Once Curly had been slammed on the head with a hammer, or survived a galactic-level pie fight, all pride seemingly evaporated.  

But positive energy, at some level, has been exposed to the world, to the masses and individuals.

Same with selling office technology.  Relax.  Be a person, not a value prop.  Have a conversation, not an agenda.  

Bring answers, not criticisms

The times are turbulent - they always have been, always will be.  Stop worrying about what you cannot control. If you must, hear those hired to stir things up by targeting non-paying entities, with a discerning ear and a smile in your heart.

The Three Stooges played parts and made people laugh.  They explored topics from liquor, to the civil war - they were the first to mock Hitler.

...and they threw pies at each other...