Because of the coronavirus inexplicable numbers even for PR expert CS Mutahi Kagwe, what to sell now, is one challenge that seems to baffle him, everyone
Today, let me ramble. I have a feeling I’ll be speaking for many.
What do you do when your selling gambit starts losing its bite? The shock value of the deadly effects the Coronavirus pandemic have been its selling gambit. However, it appears to be waning with every passing day. And at the pace it’s moving, soon it might join that of corruption, who’s shock value in Kenya was lost eons ago. As a tweep put it, “Don’t tell us you will reveal who stole what in that scandal. That’s stale. Tell us when the next one is, its scale and who is involved. That’s what’s news in Kenya.” (Ouch!)
Coronavirus inexplicable numbers and corruption
Anyway, traffic jams are back in full swing, the limited passenger carrying capacities imposed on public service vehicles are being flouted, and I long stopped waiting with rapt attention for the daily briefing by Cabinet Secretary for Health Mutahi Kagwe. And I’m in good company.
It’s a tough stance for any seller to be in. Of course, it’d be comparatively easier to solve were it another product on sale; but I’d be oversimplifying the equation, equating the dilemma to a commercial product. With deep political, social and economic issues in play the situation is far more complex.
Further, I’m not a doctor so will not pretend to dilute nor understand the magnitude of the problem. Suffice to say, the CS is a public relations expert who has been internationally recognized for his sterling job at handling this crisis and still what to sell now is one challenge that seems to baffle everyone.
Shock value lost, not moving people
What do you do when numbers no longer move people? Numbers are the corner stone of selling. There is no grey area with numbers. A human resource manager once shared with me that she wishes targets across all departments were as clear as that of sales.
But numbers clearly aren’t moving the shock value needle. The world stood still when Italy lost 936 lives in 24 hours! Now America is losing thousands every twenty four hours and is fast approaching 100,000 deaths! And yet their President is pushing for the economy to be re-opened!
Here in Kenya, the interest has been reduced to a nonchalant, “Wamepatikana wangapi leo?” (How many cases today?) in reference to CS Kagwe’s daily briefings. The numbers predicted in March by the Director of Health Dr. Patrick Amoth were that we would be having five to eight thousand infections by mid-May. That we haven’t is cause for joy. Or maybe we have but haven’t tested enough. Either way, that we’re not dropping like flies nor hearing of hospitals flooded with COVID-19 infected patients, only complicates the sale further.
Where am I going with all this? I’m not sure; as I said, I’m just thinking out loud; but don’t abandon me. We’re in this together. In fact, let me know what you make of this crisis?
Check out our short courses and other services here. Or, if you would like to have your sales team sell more, we can help. In order for us to do so we propose a free consultation meeting or a call. If in agreement, please complete the form below and we will get in touch after receiving your details, none of which will be public. Thank you.
Views – 406