In a recent blog post, Mack Earnhart asked the question, "How do you tell someone they stink?" The title caught my attention because I really thought he was discussing BODY ODOR and it's a sensitive topic that I have a hard time with when I find myself in an "odiferous" situation. To my surprise, and slight amusement, he was writing about getting introduced to prospects thru networking. How do you prep your new networking acquaintance to introduce you to his friend, your prospect?

I've found that most of my Indianapolis small business computer outsourcing customers don't need to be told that their Information Technology is bad. They know it deep down inside, but they are in denial of it. They've spent months, or even years pretending that their computer network is modern and up-to-date. And I don't think it's my place to tell them differently. Certainly that's no way to start a relationship. Imagine the bedside manner!

No, instead of telling that small business owner that his network support stinks, I encourage him to talk about his business and how his computer services support his business. Then I suggest other ways in which it might be able to help if it consisted of slightly different pieces or configuration. I haven't found a nice way to tell someone their network stinks because the reality is that it works, at least somewhat. Your network doesn't stink, nor do your IT consultants. The odor you're smelling is from the relationship you have with your computer consultant. And, like Mack's readers suggest, if we find that we can get along, then we can work together.