From the course: Cold-Calling Directors and Executives

Taking ownership of tasks

From the course: Cold-Calling Directors and Executives

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Taking ownership of tasks

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- So when setting these next actions, it's important that you take ownership of these tasks, even if the task is on them. So, like I said, these people are busy with 101 tasks that are all important and urgent. So it's easy to forget things. You can't take it personally. If the task is something you need to do, like make a quote or send some information or book a meeting, then own it and give them a timeline. So you would say something like, "You'll receive that quote by tomorrow," or, "I'll call your PA today and organize that meeting," or, "The information will be in your inbox before Friday." Now on a side note, I would always say you should under promise and over deliver. If you think that a task will take an hour, then tell them it'll take a day. Or if you think it'll take a day, tell them it'll take two. But then you should still do it within that timeframe it actually takes. So still do it in the hour and still do it in the day. That will mean that they'll think that you're really efficient and really reliable, when all you're actually doing is just your normal job at a normal speed. If you over promise and under deliver, even if it's due to something that wasn't your fault, then you'll look slow and unreliable, which isn't very good in their eyes. Now, if they own the task, then you still need to take ownership. If you give them a task, say, sign this quote or confirm this meeting then I usually threaten to chase a few days after. So I might say, "Okay, Mr. Customer, "I'll send this quote over by the end of the day, "but if I haven't heard back from you by next Wednesday, "then do you mind if I chase you?" Or I'll say, "I'll send you a few dates "I can make for the meeting. "I'll send that over by tomorrow, "but I'll call you next week if I haven't heard back." They more often than not accept the offer for a nudge. It's not rude, it's actually just really helpful. So just remember the task is always your responsibility, even if the next action is with them.

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