How do you get past the company gatekeepers when coldcalling?

Question

I have been assigned a job to reach certain key staff within accounting firms in Australia. This task is especially difficult given the fact that reception acts as a gatekeeper to prevent interruptions from telemarketers. What tips do you have for getting past the gatekeepers?

Answer 1

Tell her u calling from a foreign country

Answer 2

A technique used by a friend of mine with great success it

to gain the assistance of the gatekeeper.

He would tell the gatekeeper what he was trying to sell.

He would then ask the gatekeeper who was the best person

in the organization to talk to.  He would then ask to be

connected.

It worked because he presented it to the gatekeeper as

something that might save a lot of money or increase

profits.  He also made a point of mentioning that even

if they weren't interested in buying they should know

about his product/service (he sold both at different

times) to keep abreast of the latest and in the event

they changed their minds.

Finally, he exchanged pleasantries and recorded the

name and phone extension of every gatekeeper he ever

talked to.  As he uncovered information about them

and their families he would faithfully record it in

his notebook.  Whenever he called he was able to

greet by name and ask questions about the gatekeeper

and his/her family.

Hope this helps

Jerry-the-bookkeeper

Answer 3

Work your skills of persuasion on one of the gatekeepers.  A late friend who was a psychiatrist maintained that developing a relationship with one of the people operating the lift to the moat was more important than than knowing the king of the castle.  For starters, I would bring a food treat to the desk of the gatekeeper.  She will likely appreciate the gesture and help smooth out your road to getting an audience with the decision maker.  Good luck.