After a 20-25 year hiatus, I picked up my tennis racket once again and started playing mixed doubles with Karen.

I used to be pretty darn good – or at least that’s how I remember it- but to say my game was a “bit” off these days is an understatement.

Anyhoo, Karen thought it might be a good idea for “us “to take some lessons.

So off to the courts we went for our lesson with Stephan and two of his other students – one of whom was a grandma.

After some preliminary drills, Stephan thought it would be a good idea for us to play a set. It was Karen and yours truly against Grandma and her partner.

Grandma was a killer out on the court  but Karen and I were winning quite handily and then it happened…

I served and came to the net. Grandma’s partner, mishit the return and lobbed the ball right back to me. Grandma was also at the net and when I put away the shot, the balls went straight for her head.

Fortunately, Grandma, with her cat-like reflexes, dodged the speeding  bullet but was non-too pleased. Neither was her partner, Stephan, Karen or me. Obviously, I didn’t mean to try to knock out Grandma with a tennis ball.

But hey, we won the point, right?

And that is the point.

You can use strong-armed sales tactics to manipulate your audience into buying products that they really don’t want, need or desire and that don’t get them the outcomes they are looking for.

You can win the point but lose the game because that person will never buy anything from you ever again. You haven’t created a customer, you’ve simply made an enemy.

Selling is about persuasion, not manipulation. And the difference between the two is intent. Is your intent to coherce someone to buying just for your gain or for both your gain and your customers gain?

I have another lesson with Stephan on Saturday. He and Karen thought it would be a good idea for us to take a private lesson this time.

Have a great weekend  and, as always…

Kick butt, make mucho “DEEnero!”
Dave “He’s No Roger Federer” Dee