Lets face it Engineers are not the most people friendly prospects you would want to work with in your network marketing business. I know first hand, because I am one.
I have only been prospected two times in my life for a network marketing opportunity, and both time I joined. I certainly wasn’t the easiest person to deal with both times.
The first time my soon to be sponsor and I argued for about 2 hours on the follow up phone call. I argued that the Amway business couldn’t work and that no one would do this business. This was in 1989 when Amway only did about $2 billion in business!!! Duh! So of course I knew everything about it, even though I didn’t. Finally my sponsor told me “fine then don’t build it!”
Now that really upset me and I then proceeded to tell him that I would join and show him this wouldn’t work if its the last thing I do. I know; that was really dumb for me to say that too. I eventually did apologize and we did build a successful Amway/Quixtar business. I’m no longer in Amway but the method worked that got me interested and it can work for you too.
All We See Are Problems
I guess once he tried to pull the opportunity away from me, I did not like it and I wouldn’t let him. There’s a lesson to be learned here when dealing with Engineers. We always see a problem that can be solved. Sometimes posing the business opportunity as a potential problem that needs to be solved may help you reach the engineers you know. Tell them you found a business opportunity that you don’t think can work and they will figure it all out for you. In the process they may even join you.
Sharing the Opportunity
Here is my best advice on this topic. Don’t tell the Engineering prospect how great this business is, and how much fun it is. How they will get to meet all kinds of different people, and be recognized for achievements and such. And never, ever tell them that you have these really cool “functions” or “Seminars & Rallys”. It won’t work because we don’t care about that stuff. (at least outwardly). Additionally we don’t like that many people and we are generally introverts and afraid of public situations. That’s why we became engineers, right? We like computers, and machinery and software.
I remember the first Seminar and Rally I went to very clearly. I am pretty sure I am still traumatized by it actually. The seminar was great! Lots of information and how to’s. We like that kind of stuff. The problem was in between the two sessions where some of the leaders wanted to get everyone excited and “fired up”.
They started competing in different sections of the room saying “I’m excited how about you?” to see who was louder. I think I was ready to walk out right then. I’m done here!
Engineers like data and scientific studies, testing and reports. We need to know how everything works. So be prepared to be able to explain it all. If you’re not you may find yourself in front of an Engineer who will take one look at your information, then proceed to explain to you how it works. That may be okay actually!
Following Up
My advice here is to be ready to overcome objections and answer more questions. Appeal to their logical side as we make many decisions “logically”. That being said continue to try to get out of your engineer prospect what his/her hobbies and interest are. Try to find out what his/her goals are. This may best be done by asking questions about the latest hot car. Or talking about the coolest airplane or video on this cool electronic gadget that allows you to bend space and time. Those things are of interest to Engineers and will allow you to establish some level of rapport. Find out what they liked best about what they saw. Don’t be surprised if you do not get an answer to that question. But instead they tell you what they did not like. This is typical of most people actually, not just engineers.
Be direct and say “I want to partner with you in this business”. Most Engineers cannot say no to a request for help and they may see this as a way to show you how much they know. We like that kind of thing.
Teaching and Training System
Once you have enrolled your engineer get them involved in the teaching and training system. They love that stuff. The more data and information the better, remember?
This will help them to get the details that they “need” to be able to move forward. I also suggest you get them with your experienced upline when you can so they can get a different perspective as soon as possible. It helps when they meet other like minded people.
Be Patient
Hang in there but don’t wait around for the Engineer to start building. The best thing is to leave them in the dust and asking you for help as you move on without them! Engineers are competitive and like to be right about everything.
They don’t like to lose, more than they like to win. So make them keep up with you.
As always you need to share with everyone, but keep in mind these tips for your technical people prospects. This includes doctors, engineers and scientists.
Keep at it and don’t be afraid to circle back to those who did not get involved right away.
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Thanks for reading!
Mark Balderrama
