We've all had awkward moments when trying to make a sale, meeting new contacts, or just during our daily routine. Just last week, I had one of those awkward moments with a potential customer who I had been trying to meet with for weeks.
I just got a new puppy from the Humane Society, and was walking the dog early in the morning when I passed this business where I had been trying to meet with the owner for weeks. Appropriately, my puppy decided to relieve herself on the ice plant in front of the building and I was not prepared for her to poop that morning. Normally she just runs or walks and then waits til we get home to relieve herself. I panicked and searched for something to pick up the poop and found an empty bag of Cheeto's on the ground. I was able to scoop a different kind of "Cheeto" into the bag. We started walking along again, and who happens to show up right around the corner? The owner of the company, obviously an early riser and on his way to work. The puppy was wagging her tail and being friendly and he looked at me and then the dog and said,
"What an adorable puppy. How old is it?", he asked and bent down to pet the dog.
At this point I'm shocked and I can't think because I've been trying to meet with this guy for weeks and I'm holding a bag of Cheetoh's with a surprise inside. So I just blurt out, "Uh four months I think? She's a pound puppy."
"Really? She's cute for a pound puppy.", he said and began stroking the dog's head. The puppy was wagging her tail frantically and really excited to be making a new friend.
At first I'm thinking, "WTF! He thinks puppies from the pound aren't cute? How rude!" And so initially I thought to myself, "I hope she gets real excited and pees on his expensive shoes". But then I came back to reality and realized I had an opportunity to get an appointment if I played this right, and I didn't drop the Cheeto's bag on his shoe.
"Yeah, I guess I got lucky. I was the first in line on the waiting list."
"Well she's really cute. Hi puppy, hi puppy.", he said as he kept petting the dog, who was wagging her tail so hard her whole butt moved back and forth with each tail wag.
As he stroked the dog's fur, I said, "She's really playful so be careful she doesn't scratch you."
He kept calmly stroking the dog and so I figured I would take a shot, "Mr. Gonzalez, I don't know if you remember me, but I spoke to you a couple of weeks ago about a new product my company has that can save you about $20,000 per year. Do you remember meeting with me?"
" I do, but I'm sorry I haven't had time to get back to you. Been really busy.", he said and kept petting the dog who started to lick his face.
My first thought is to offer him a Cheeto because "I've been busy too you ass!", but I held the bag and my mouth closed. I just looked at him and smiled, then bent down and began to pet my dog.
"Good girl." I said. " I know you're busy sir so I won't waste your time, but I really think we can help your company so give it a thought and let me know."
"I'll do that." he said, and he sounded sincere with his answer.
"Thanks", I responded and we both were petting the dog for a moment.
"I gotta go." he said and stood up, " That's a cute dog. You run her around here everyday?"
"Yeah lately I have. She likes to run.", I answered.
He looked at the bag of Cheeto's in my other hand and look perplexed, " You always eat Cheeto's for breakfast?"
I was about to tell him it was a bag full of poop, but decided maybe that wasn't the best answer.
"Not always. Just today!", I said and smiled. "Take care"
"You too.", he said, "Call my secretary will set something up. Tell her your the guy with the dog."
"Okay...sure. Thanks again. See you later.", I said and ran off with my dog.
That was the best bag of Cheeto's I've ever had.
-M
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