Bathroom Signage is Equal to Product Knowledge in Sales

December 27th, 2010

It has happened to me more than I would like.  The first bad memory I can remember occurred when growing up in a German heritage town in Southeast Indiana.  It has happened several times since then and nearly every time we go on vacation outside of the US.  Sad thing is, it happened again this past week. What is the “it?” I’m talking about restaurants that use ‘funny’ or ‘slang’ or ‘Italian/Spanish/German’ names on their bathrooms.

Here is what happens for me, whatever restaurant it is I find myself asking where the restrooms are then as I turn the corner I see two doors (neither of them labeled MEN or WOMEN).  I then find myself staring at the two doors trying to figure out what the heck they mean.  Eventually someone comes out of one of the doors and that helps me figure out the one I should be in.  At this point when we don’t know which door to go into how do we feel?  I can’t speak for everyone but I feel like a complete idiot.  I don’t want to ask for help since I am already embarrassed so I just stand there feeling confused.

Bathroom signage is the equivalent of product knowledge in sales.  Everyone at the restaurant knows which door to go in because they have the experience and they are comfortable with it.  Product knowledge is ‘comfortable’ for sales reps because they have been trained on it, many of your prospects have not.  Next time you are having a conversation with a prospect talk in terms of Men’s or Women’s bathroom not Shelia’s and Blokes.

Aaron Prickel

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