I was ready to do some BIG shopping last weekend. I walked confidently into the nearby home improvement warehouse, worked my way through lumber, flooring and paint to a veritable playground of refrigerators, dishwashers and ranges. Should I get the French door or side-by-side? Is induction worth the added cost? How difficult is it to adjust to convection baking? The sales associate nodded and said, “Great questions! Let’s go over here and I’ll show you our biggest seller.” Two hours later, I bought appliances from another retailer where the sales associate began the conversation with, “Tell me a little about your cooking and how your family uses the kitchen and its appliances.”
Showing interest, getting to know the customer and identifying what matters to them is vital in the sales process. As for safety professionals, we are in the business of “selling” safety and the same concept applies. Take a minute today and ask a worker to “tell me a little about your job, what makes you feel safe or unsafe and how I can help.”
Holli Singleton
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Holli Singleton is the Assistant Director of Safety & Health Services at NC State Industry Expansion Solutions. In addition to managing the services offered by the Safety and Health Specialists, she develops and presents workplace safety and health education courses, conducts worksite assessments and provides occupational safety and environmental assistance to employers throughout the southeastern region of the United States.
