Still pitching

Sunday, 16 Oct 2005 | Work in Asia

I’m still working on that sales pitch. The biggest risk (that Arjan pointed out to me) is people labelling me as ‘another one of those single guys’. When I discussed this with my coach earlier this week, he suggested the quickest way to defuse such a feeling is by calling it. He said perhaps I should work that into my introduction … like “yes, I’m indeed looking for a job here in Bangkok. It will probably prove to be difficult, because of how people perceive young and single men like me over here, but I am really here for the long haul, etc, etc.”

I’d ofcourse have to back that up with credible arguments, but careful not to point out imperfections. Some things ..

• business in asia is about relationships, I like working in such an environment. I love that in my current work too!
• my knowledge of the western marketplace, combined with the openness and intrigue towards asian cultures makes for an interesting combination - i think in time i’ll be able to function as a bridge between the two.
• i’ll have a basic command of spoken language, which ubdoubtedly will at least be appreciated.
• i’m young and flexible in many respects.

And there is nothing wrong with throwing some humor in there too. A comment about how the sun always shines in Thailand probably won’t hurt. Yeah, I know, it’s far from being a well thought out strategy and even further from an actual sales pitch. I have to sit down and bounce this around with someone who knows the marketplace - good thing I’m going over there soon! (hi Arjan;-)