19. Dear Vendor, Let’s Face It. It Isn’t Working. Here’s Why.

WTF Did I Just Read? Tech Sales & Marketing Edition

In this episode of WTFDIJR, Chris and Dani are uncovering:

Chris’s approach to unsolicited vendor emails, explaining his "Dear Vendor" letters aimed at educating rather than merely dismissing vendors. His letter outlines why certain sales approaches aren't effective and suggest more respectful and constructive methods.

Chris shares a recent experience where a vendor responded negatively to his letter, escalating to a legal cease-and-desist letter. This incident not only brought internal scrutiny within Chris's organization but also led to a broader discussion about the effectiveness and ethics of current sales practices in tech.

Key Takeaways:

1. Constructive Feedback vs. Aggressive Sales Tactics: Dani and Chris highlight the need for a balance between providing constructive feedback to vendors and dealing with aggressive, unsolicited sales tactics.
2. Re-evaluating Vendor Engagement: The episode suggests rethinking how vendors engage potential clients, advocating for more ethical and effective communication strategies rather than spam-like approaches.
3. Community and Relationship Building: Dani and Chris point towards building a community approach and fostering relationships in the tech industry, rather than relying on impersonal, bulk communication.
4. Personal Reflection: Chris reflects on the personal impact of the incident, questioning the value of his efforts and the support from his organization, while also emphasizing the importance of not giving up in face of adversity.
5. Industry Responsibility: The episode concludes with a call to action for the industry to work collaboratively and respectfully, moving away from adversarial tactics.

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