Phil Cooke

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Posted On
05/27/2009

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8 Comments »

Pitching to “Relationship People” versus “Results People”

One of the keys to successful pitching is understanding the person to whom you’re pitching.  When it comes to pitches, there are usually two kinds of people:  Relationship People and Results People.  Relationship people like to talk.  They like the interchange.  It takes awhile to get to your project because they want to chat about the weather, your kids, the big game last night – anything.  Meetings with relationship people can be 90% chit-chat and 10% substance.  Think of buying something from a
street vendor in the Middle East.  It’s a complete opera – waving hands, arguing back and forth, lot’s of activity – all just to buy an apple.  That’s a relationship person.  On the other hand, I’m a results person.  My mantra is “Don’t tell me how deep the water is, just bring in the boat.”  I want you to get to the point, and don’t bore me with the details.  You may have lovely children, but results people don’t want to hear about them.  They just want to know why you’re taking up their time.

It’s not a matter of one being better, it’s a matter of recognizing the difference.  And knowing that information can mean the difference between success and failure when it comes to pitching.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 27th, 2009 at 10:48 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • Steve B

    You’ve must have done too much counselling.  Unfortunately Jesus works through the relationship.

  • Phil

    Jesus does, but movie producers don’t.

  • Brian

    Editors are like movie producers. An unsolicited manuscript has less than five seconds to convince me I should read any further.

  • Carl Obremski

    But if we made movies like they buy apples in the Middle East, it would be a lot more fun

  • http://clubfritch.com gilliebean

    I’m in the middle of a project that has one results person, two relationship people, and two half-breeds.  I’m one of the half-breeds.  I speak both languages.  It’s been helpful that the results person recognizes that he’s working with relationship people.  And it’s been super helpful that the relationship people recognize that they’re working with a results person.  It took some time, but we got to a place where we recognize these differences as strengths and have started to develop a relationship/results hybrid oriented shorthand.  

    Nosce te ipsum! 

  • Ron Lambros

    Phil-

    As always, you hit the nail on the head! After years of fundraising experience, it all boils down to the types of people you’re trying to reach. When you present/sell a vision, you MUST determine if that person is relational or result-inclined. I have found that most people with means (money) are NOT relational. Their time is valuable and you need to cut to the chase and tell them why you’re there. The vast majority of those donors to a ministry ARE relational. These are you regular, monthly $25 givers. They care about YOU and not just your cause. You can save a lot of time and effort by sorting out the two, pre-determine BEFORE you approach a person which category they fall into, and then plan accordingly. Your success rate will increase while your frustration level will decrease.

  • Leslie I T Assih

    I just wonder how one achieves the results without a relationship in the first place or how one works or lives with anyone without a relationship – but then it could be possible but miserable as well:-)

  • Christie

    Personally, I am a results individual who has had to learn how to be relational, and now have a deep-seeded value for both.  I think there is a time and place for each.  If you plan on doing any work internationally (especially anywhere in Asia) you will have to let your relational side develop a bit, otherwise you won’t be able to see results.

     I just spent the past year working in India, and quickly learned that my desire to see results would be impeded unless I first developed the relational aspect.  They were a lot faster to get me the things I needed once we had relationship.  It allowed me to ask a quick question that needed immediate results and get what I needed because the relationship was there.  

    I think this is one of those areas that Paul talked about when he mentions being "all things to all men" in 1 Corinthians.  Our ability to see results and be successful is directly dependent on our ability to adapt.   


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