| name | value |
| date | 2025-01-16 |
| location | Miami, US |
| author | Anton |
I am on the call with the sales person from one of the software vendors I’m trying to use.
We had an intro call one month before, since then I made a proof of concept demo using their tool and went on a two weeks vacation.
This call is a catch-up call to talk about the demo experience and future. It starts with small talk.
He asks me how my vacation was. I told him a few things and how the weather is now in Mexico. And then he says, “I thought you were in Miami.”
At this moment, I realized that during the last meeting, he recorded all the data points about me and is now just recalling them.
I tell him that I am still not in Miami but will be back soon.
While I say this, I see on my screen him typing all my answers.
Why are we doing this?
I know that sales small talk is performative and no one cares about each other really. But just sit there with CRM and type answers and use them next time during the meeting as a prompt? What is the actual skill here? The ability to type and read?
Am I evaluating company by the ability of its sales people to write things down and then read them back?
Can we focus on each other for a moment? When we talk, why cannot we be present? Why do I see a person reading and writing things on another screen?
You can still write down your notes, but after the call, from memory, from remembering what was interesting or important.
Just be present. It's only a 15-minute call.
Reflections
- programming the sense of intimacy, connection, caring is antihuman.
- not being present is antihuman.