Some days gush

by John Passmore

There’s a lot said in this business about priming the pump – just put in the effort, don’t expect to see any results … and then suddenly everything starts to gush. Today was a bit like that.

First the phone rang and I had no idea who was on the other end. This is where technology is so wonderful: While listening to the voice saying I had rung yesterday and the apologies for not getting back to me, I hastily typed the number which was calling me into my wonderful database – and up popped the name. A quick click brought up the fact that this was a man who had just started a new business and somebody I had met at a networking group had recommended I call him.

Indeed I had done just this (and left a message which merely said I had been recommended to call him). This last bit was absolutely true and if you say no more than that, people will always call you back.

So now I knew who he was, I was able to tell him why I had called – and did the first of my 30 seconds presentations for the day.

And guess what he said: “Ah, I know all about the Utility Warehouse. I met one of your colleagues a couple of weeks ago. I’ve got his card somewhere and I was meaning to call him to sort out my huge electricity bills…”

So I went to see him and we’re not only sorting out his electricity bills but his phone and broadband and his second line and he’s even having an 0800 number.

Then it was off to Ipswich to take advantage of the 10% off with the cashback card at Debenhams - we’re having a week in Southwold soon and you can’t been seen looking shabby there.

“Do you want to save £17 pounds?” asked the sales assistant – they always do this: You get 10% off when you take out a store card.

“No thanks, I already save that much by using this card,” I said, flourishing my piggy card.

She took no notice.

“Would you like to save 10% too… no, you probably get a discount already.”

Yes, she said she did.

“Then would you like to save at Sainsbury’s.”

“Can I save at Sainsbury’s?”

“Do you shop there?”

“All the time.”

“Write yourself down (I slid my little notebook across the counter) and I’ll give you a ring when you’re not working…”

On the strength of this, I then went into the street and handed out two dozen micro cards.

And if you do that, you get half a dozen people saying: “What’s this then?”

In which case it wouldn’t be polite not to tell them – and so you do…

One way and another, I thoroughly deserved what happened when I got home.

I was peeling carrots at the time, so I let the call go to voicemail. When I picked it up, I found it said this: “Hello, my name is Judy R---- and my brother Richard tells me I should call you about my electricity bills. Eon keep charging more and more and I understand you can save me a lot of money. Please would you give me a call.”