Newsletter | April 5, 2023

04.05.23 -- The Answers to Your Problems Are in the Questions You Ask

 
     
 
 
 
     
 
  In This Issue:  
     
 
 
 
     
 

FROM THE EDITOR

 

The Answers to Your Problems Are in the Questions You Ask

 

Hal Gregersen believes in the “catalytic quality” of great questions. In his book, “Questions Are The Answer”, he immerses the reader into the powerful nature of questions and how they can help us create, innovate, overcome obstacles, solve problems and see the hidden truths in some of our most debilitating behaviors, at work and in life.

 

I speak with a lot of people who believe that what keeps them from achieving more in life and business is that they feel incapable of breaking out of the routines they’ve established. These routines make up the “A state” of our lives, our habits. And even though we often hope for something better, even visualizing a greater “B state”, we find ourselves mired in the daily and common.

 

Experts often blame our fixation with busyness, overly tasked work environments, and being the victims of FOMO. The most recent edition of Harvard Business review refers to it as a trap of our own making and it robs us of the ability to pause, think, visualize something better, and ask the right questions. B2B marketers and salespeople are some of the busiest people I know, tethering us to routines that are holding us and our businesses back.

 

The answers we need are in the questions we ask ourselves, our leaders, peers, subordinates, customers, and even prospects. And as Mr. Gregersen profoundly states, they can be the catalysts for change. They should not be canned scripts that serve as meeting agendas, prompts for performance reviews, client meetings, or initial sales calls with prospects.

 

This edition of our newsletter features some articles and blogs I personally selected about how to use questions to achieve more for yourself and your organization. My hope is that they help catapult you to awesome achievements beyond your wildest dreams.    

 

Have every edition of our newsletter delivered to your in-box by signing up here: send me the Follow Your Buyer newsletter each week!

 

- Perry

Perry Rearick

Chief Editor | Follow Your Buyer

prearick@followyourbuyer.com
 


 

  Exclusive Content From Follow Your Buyer  
     
 
How One Small Marketing Operation Does Big Things By Asking “What If” Questions
 
 

Like many of us, Janette Buechler, Director of Sales and Marketing Communication at Pharmatech Associates, a USP Company, was encouraged to use her imagination during her childhood, but perhaps with a little twist. Janette recalls playing a game with her grandmother called What If. They would propose what if questions to each other to stir their imaginations.

 
 
 
 
 
     
 
Are Your Marketing Tactics Supporting Your Business Strategy? If You’re Not Sure, Try Task And Purpose
 
 

I speak with a lot of B2B marketing professionals who describe their work as trying to manage chaos. Unrealistic deadlines, constantly changing priorities, emergency press releases that never get approved for distribution, and tradeshow collateral that must be created and overnighted are all in a typical day’s work. I’ve been in newsrooms less frenzied.

Marketing is intended to be the process organizations use to engage target audiences, nurture customer relationships, develop business, and, ultimately, generate revenue. But too many organizations are drowning in tactics that are not linked to their business strategy. To gain clarity, think task and purpose.

 
 
 
 
 
     
 
Are Your Marketing And Sales Adrift Because Of Your Technology?
 
 

The Hudson River flows from the Adirondacks southward to New York Harbor. In some places it is peaceful and picturesque, in others, busy with large commercial ships, high winds, and changing tides. If you’re navigating the river in a small boat, it’s important to pay attention to your surroundings and keep an eye on your destination. A boat that is adrift poses a great danger to itself and its occupants. 

 
 
 
 
 
     
 
What Does Your Buyer Want To Accomplish?
 
 

I recently purchased a new mountain bike from REI, a US-based outdoor gear company that knows how to consistently deliver a great customer experience. They do so by meeting the buyer where they are and helpfully guiding them along their journey.   

 
 
 
 
 
     
 
Are You Practicing Balance In Your Life?
 
 

Physical exercise has always been an important part of my life. But as I grew older and creakier, I abandoned the “no brain, nor pain, no gain” approach to exercise and instead, pursued balance.