Frozen in The Cereal Aisle
I nearly had a nervous breakdown in Aisle 8 at the grocery store on Sunday.
There I stood, in the cereal aisle, reading the shopping list my wife created.
Item 15 on the list: “Healthy Cereal.”
I marched up and down the aisle, scanning the shelves.
Should I buy the Kashi or the Kellogg’s? Barbara’s Bakery or Bob’s Red Mill? What about General Mills?
Just guesstimating here, but I think there were 18 million options to weigh.
I texted my wife. No reply.
I called. No answer.
Panic was setting in. What to do? Which one should I buy?
I returned home with nothing from Aisle 8. “They were out of healthy cereal,” I muttered when she asked.
I know food manufacturers and grocery giants spend millions to master the science of product placement. There’s a reason grocery stores are organized as they are — to get us to buy more.
But those crowded shelves also can backfire. Too many choices can paralyze prospects.
That’s an important lesson for any business — not just grocery stores.
Numerous studies have proven that prospects act like I did when confronted with more buying options than they can comfortably process.
They freeze, and then they flee.
So keep it simple. Present good options, but not too many.
This principle applies not just when you’re selling products or services.
Remember that…
…the next time you present recommendations to your boss or co-workers.
…the next time you discuss what to do this weekend with your pals or spouse.
…the next time you’re stocking the shelves or writing a proposal or generally pitching your stuff.
You want to encourage people to consider the options, not freeze and flee.
Don't go away yet..
p.s. Coaches, authors, and consultants hire me to power-up their creative content and storytelling to captivate prospects, stand-out and book more business.
Whenever you're ready, here are several ways I can help you become a storytelling stand-out so you'll land more clients without pitching and prodding:
1) Get the Story Power Profit Pack -- 52 Strategies, Tips, and Tactics  to Transform Your Content from Ignored to Adored.
2) Watch the free, 7-minute Micro-Training: “The 3 Most Important Storytelling Keys to Captivate Prospects and Inspire Them to Act -- Without Pitching and Prodding.”
3) Become a Story Power VIP: Master how to discover, assemble, and deliver business-building stories. Twice-monthly live masterclasses. Members-only content. One-on-one feedback and consulting sessions. And more… If you'd like to learn more about our VIP program, just reply to this email and put "Story Power VIP" in the subject line. I’ll contact you with more details.
4) Work with me one-on-one: If you’re interested in working directly with me -- to discover, assemble, and deliver powerful, business-building stories -- simply reply to this email and change the subject line to "Private Client." Tell me a little about yourself, your business, and what you'd like to accomplish, and I'll reply to discuss options.
5) Invite me to speak at an event: I can tailor a presentation that meets the specific needs of your organization. Informative. Entertaining. Virtual or live. Potential for continuing education credits when applicable for your group. If interested, reply to this email and change the subject line to “Speaking Engagement.” I’ll circle back to discuss the possibilities.
Want to get great content like this...
...delivered straight to your inbox?
Join our email list...
Post Categories
Previous Post
Next Post
