As an entrepreneur when it comes to sharing your ideas there are three types of people you will encounter…negative, positive or indifferent.
Here’s the scenario, you schedule a meeting, everyone arrives and you commence with your presentation. The presentation comes to an end and now it’s time for some feedback. (You can exchange meeting for product launch, new service offering, etc)
As you go around the room everyone you hear from falls into one of these three categories -negative, positive and indifferent.
The question you should be asking yourself is how do you deal with them and what’s your response.
Dealing With Negative People
At first glance, you would think these are the types that you should try an avoid.
It seems like no matter how great of an idea you bring forward these people always have a reason it can’t, shouldn’t or won’t be done. The problem is we tend to immediately discount the criticism based on the negative attitude that comes with it. What you need to know is that out of the three types this one can be of the most benefit to you and your idea. Sounds crazy? Here’s why it isn’t.
First, the negative types are going to bring you objections that others will also bring. Preparing yourself to deal with those is something that will help you make your presentation and idea better. Now the objections may not be warranted, but it will help you prepare an answer to why it’s not. In addition many time the negative comments can be used to improve your idea.
Second, if you can explain to a negative person why the idea will work, then you are preparing yourself to sell the idea, product, service down the road. Handling objections is part of sales and this will help you develop that skill. Oh and typically if you can change a negative persons perspective to see your idea is a good one, you have a champion for your idea.
Dealing With Positive People
Of the three, this is the once that can give you the most false feedback. Positive people can be upbeat about anything and in the end that isn’t going to give you the best feedback you need. Sure we all love to here reassuring feedback on our ideas, but the problem is we can get a false sense that what we have will work.
Push the positive feedback person to give you some negative feedback. Ask them is there anything you dont like, anything that could be made better? If you get the standard, nope its all great, then you need to be weary of the quality of the feedback.
Dealing With Indifferent People
Of the three these are the most difficult and likely the most common types you will deal with . Indifference creates a huge challenge for you. Your goal should be to create something that stamps out indifference. Getting people to be passionate enough to care, either positively or negatively is something that you must focus on.
I’ve heard it said before, “good or bad, at least they are talking about us”. That’s the type of approach you have to have when presenting new ideas. You want your idea, product or service to spark that debate and polarize the crowd. It’s a sign of accomplishment if you can get those that you present to, customers especially, to take a stance one way or the other on what you are showing them.
Your goal should be to remove indifference from the conference room and marketplace.
Knowing how to deal with each of these three can help you understand how to make a better presentation, product or idea.