Sales; Marketing and Begging

While I was hanging around with my friends on beach last weekend when I came across a begger women with a child in her hand (nothing new for any Chennaite). Though they seem unethical; unreal; irritating; pestering, there is just one thing that made me think. The way they market themselves and make a sale. THEY SEEM TO DO ENOUGH BUSINESS ALWAYS!!! RECESSION OR NOT :-D. There are a few points I would like to compare their show with those of sales and marketing experts.

1. Their prospecting mechanism: Though thousands of them are there at the beach they always knew whom to target (No, they did not come to me :-D)

2. They are really good in grabbing your attention. Their message is crystal clear. They know what they want from you (Those huge hoardings or costly celebs are nothing when it comes to grabbing attention).

3. They are always kids or atleast carry kids. Because they know this is what makes you interested. Isn't this simple to demonstrate why somebody should spare a change :).

4. They create a desire by convincing you that its' for the kid who has not had food for the past couple of days etc., (you feel so sorry that you certainly want to help them).

5. If they know you are feeling sorry they hell won't leave you until they make you do the act (with their tenacity and patience) of giving them the change .

6. The best point I learn is that they just don't leave you here. They thank you and wish you good luck in all your endeavors & wish you success right through your life all for just the one or two buck that you spared for them (now isn't that a great deal of value offered?). This is how they satisfy their customers. This makes them lot of return customers even.

If you think I am making sense above then watch closely on the bold fonts, I am talking about the AIDAS formula, the mantra for marketing. Now guys! how many of our sales & marketing experts have
- Good prospecting mechanism;
- A value to create interest and desire in the customer
- Satisfy the customer or how many of us THANK our customer for their business :).

My next steps are to research on this particular arena and start a "beggers training camp". Pls don't think cheap, reports say that on an avg. a begger in an important traffic signal in any of the metropolitan cities of India earn more than Rs. 300/few hours in the evening.

So... Interested to attend?