Sellers know the Deceiver very well. This person is the gatekeeper who screens all calls directed to a particular executive or the company as a whole. A good Deceiver seems to be a great asset to the person he is serving by keeping the number of calls low, which equates to interruptions.
Not all guardians are deceivers, as the term refers only to guardians who openly lie or cheat. Administrative assistants who provide honest information are building relationships. These are the ones that will provide information like “I’m really sorry, but we don’t accept phone requests” instead of “you can leave a voicemail message” (knowing it will never be returned).
However, a “deceiver” can be very bad for business, forgetting that they play a key role in customer service. If you have a scam, here are two ways it could be hurting your business:
They forget that the seller can also be a customer. The salesperson your receptionist is scamming could be a customer. You can’t be sure. Are you willing to risk a client just because he is not willing to tell the truth?
They damage the reputation of the organization. Sellers often share company names with hard-core deceivers, damaging the company’s image and reputation.
Sellers appreciate hearing the truth. Don’t use trickery to lock the door. Instead, be open and honest and admit to the salesperson that your boss doesn’t want to be interrupted under any conditions. They may not like to hear it, but they will appreciate your openness.
