If Not This Time, Perhaps Later

Ever worked hard on a proposal and not been awarded the contract? When it happens to me, I say ‘Thank you’. My follow-up notes read like this:

‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to know you better and offer my services to you. I hope we have a chance to work together in the future. In the meantime, I wish you the best of success. Feel free to contact me when I may be of assistance.’

This note creates good feelings for everyone. The prospect may contact me in the future. If someone else asks about me, he may give a positive comment or an active referral.

Consider the different reactions in these two examples.

I interviewed a consultant but decided not to hire her at this time. She went totally silent, no longer responding to my messages. I wonder if she felt I owed her the business since we met once to discuss it? Or that I should not have chosen another consultant, or could not simply change my mind?

This short-term reaction can have a long-term impact. I often refer people within my business network. Her cordial reply would have secured my positive word of mouth.

I met twice with a financial planner, but made a decision not to use his services. He called me to explore my reasons and accepted them with grace. He asked if he could stay in touch in the future. I gladly agreed. He asked me for referrals when appropriate, which I also agreed to do.