I dial dead people. Sometimes. I didn't mean to.

Today, one call stopped me in my tracks - he was gone. My once vibrant colleague had become a name in an obituary.

Why did his email address for the company he worked for kicked back?

Call his mobile - why is it disconnected?

Search for him in my LinkedIn connections... Profile has disappeared.

Then, search his name in Google. An obituary. A deep sadness set in. I was paralyzed for an hour.

When you're a seasoned salesperson, you've dialed countless numbers, held numerous conversations, and formed unexpected connections.

They don't prepare you for this in sales training. You're taught to be persistent, empathetic, and goal-oriented.

Not how to deal with the sudden emptiness that comes from someone who should pick up but instead isn't there. They picked up 6 months ago but now, nothing.

Over a decade in the business, I've had to make that painful discovery close to 50 times.

Sometimes it's a close colleague, other times a name in the CRM system, but every time, it's a stark reminder of our shared mortality.

Those unexpected connections you make in sales lead to very real human emotions that can stir up if you lose someone.

Next time you dial a number, take a moment. You never know when a routine call could turn into a lasting memory or a last conversation.

Seek to make connections, not just sales. After all, we're all just humans on the other end of the line.

And in memory of my colleague and others we've lost too soon, let's strive for relationships that matter, connections that are real.

Call someone you care about today.

💡 Let’s stop just collecting data. Let’s start making it work for us. Let’s transform banking, together. 💡

🔔 Follow Brian on Linkedin: Brian Pillmore

Related Links:

• Unlocking Growth: A Comprehensive Guide to US Banks Contacts
• Bank Call Reports: The Financial Pulse of the Banking Industry
• Biden Proposes Tougher Banking Regulations