Get Off The Phone!!

I recently attended a conference for science teachers and school administrators on its second and final day. Even though this is an excellent opportunity for me to network with colleagues and vendors from across the state, I find that it is not worth my time to attend the conference on both days. I was eager to meet with some vendors as I have some new ideas to help us meet our vision

As usual, there were a large number of vendors at the event trying to promote and sell their goods. Unbelievably, a bunch of these vendors was sitting playing on their phones. I could not believe it. They were not interacting with attendees. It seemed that either they made their quotas on the first day or they were done after the first day and had nothing else to give. Though in reality, if I made my quota, I would look for ways to make more connections for furutre sales.

Not one of these phone gawkers even noticed when I walked by their displays. How could I trust them, or their companies, to help my students and staff grow? How could I be sure that they would be there when I needed them? Why would I want to deal with a company who thinks that these vendors accuractely represent their brand? How could I defend, both to my boss and to our school board, giving any of these vendors’ companies our money?

I made sure that I took note of these companies. Later, I developed a list of companies that I refuse to work with. Every single one of the companies represented by these phone gawking vendors were on the list. When one of their representatives called me to set up a sales meeting, I refused. When they sent me promotional material, I sent it to Spam. When they were in the “area”, I was too busy. If their sales force cannot take the time to promote their products to me at the state conference, how can I possibly develop any confidence that they will be there for me and my clientele when I need them.

Every day is an Interview.