Rumors about my death have been greatly exaggerated, a famous man once quipped.

The same can be said for the business of cold calling.

By now, youve seen the ads, and very possibly one of them will be placed next to this very article, proclaiming: Cold Calling Is Dead!

That statement is like a monkey picking up a violin, mangling the strings, and concluding that this thing doesnt play!

In the hands of a primate or a primitive, a telephone is nothing more than a blunt object, good only for knocking other dummies over the head.

In the hands of a true professional, it is a Stradivarius. It can embolden, uplift, and transport people to new understandings and lasting relationships.

Would you seek the help of a known procrastinator to teach you time management skills?

Of course, you wouldnt.

Would you expect an ultra-shy person to assist you to become a dynamic public speaker?

Heck, no!

Then how, may I ask, can someone who so disrespects the phone, its power, its immediacy, its directness, cost effectiveness, ability to create give and take and real time feedback; how could we expect such a disadvantaged soul to teach us anything about SELLING?

Do yourself a favor. Check out one of my best-sellers at the library. Id look at YOU CAN SELL ANYTHING BY TELEPHONE! Or, if you prefer, try REACH OUT & SELL SOMEONE.

Both are good, established primers on telemarketing that should help anybody, even a Doubting Thomas who tries to build his business reinforcing peoples fears instead of leading the way to overcoming them.