Flexible Work: How a Manager Scored a
Part-time Schedule
“I can't think of any reason why we can't do this.” A sales
manager who got that response shares her strategy for preempting objections to
get instant approval of her request for a part-time schedule.
The Part-time Proposal Package that Salome Myers* used to present her request
included scripted replies to the six most common objections. She explains how
she used the scripts to prevent rejection of her proposal:
“I didn't include the actual replies, but what those questions and replies
did was cause me to think through questions that were logical for my situation.
Then, in my own words, I addressed those areas of concern as part of the
proposal.
For example, you addressed the objection, ‘You're a manager; you can't
work part-time.’ The wording of the reply prompted me to highlight the
independent work styles and tenure of the people in my department.
I think by including the points with positive wording, it became a proactive
answer and blew objections out of the water before they even came up.
Because our department is
a profit center, I knew their main concern was could I still turn a profit
if not working full time.
I addressed [how I could] as the very first point of the
proposal, figuring they wouldn't read in earnest through the other stuff if I
didn't handle that part right away.
Your
[Part-time] Proposal Package helped me formulate my words and forced me to address
questions that my boss asked during the presentation. The fact that each and
every answer was in the proposal impressed him.”
*Name changed to protect her privacy
“I can't think of any reason why we can't do this.”
If that's the
response you want, try a similar preemptive approach to addressing the objections you will encounter—specific
to your job—when proposing your desired
flexible work arrangement.
In other words, address the issues and integrate the answers into the
proposal. Even if your manager brings up a certain objection aloud, not
only will you be ready to respond verbally, you can also say, “I've
addressed that concern on page 2 of the proposal.”
Your thorough preparation paves the way to a successful outcome.
Are you ready to get started?
Related article:
How to Prepare for Objections
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