Sometimes You think Bad to Be Good
Someone offered me a contract. We have never met and I have never tendered for his business. He got my number from someone in the industry. This person told me that he wants my company to service his business. He even showed his current supplier's offer and pricing. The contract needs to be renewed in less than 2 weeks time. I have very little time to prepare.
My competitor's offer is very good and he has been servicing this person for at least three years. There is really no reason to change. He got my imagination into overdrive. The person could be using my quote to convince his bosses that the incumbent is still the best in the market. Therefore, there is no need to change. My quote is merely a prop.
I know I could be imagining it all. To survive in the world of business, I have to think like a bad person. I had a few big disappointments because I have the wrong expectation. The other party was merely taking me for a ride and I got sucked into a false hope.
A person's motive may not be obvious. Put yourself in the other person's shoe and imagine what is the maximum benefit you can extract from yourself. I know this may lead to a stressful and suspicious life. Yet, it is always the suspicious that survives.