Do you have the handshake of a salesman ?
In sales a firm handshake can make the difference as it brings trust.
A good handshake can create a favorable impression.
A bad handshake can give the wrong first impression.
How is the firm handshake done ?
When offering your hand and during the handshake look into the eyes of the other.
- Then put the thumb to the thumb.
- Smile while saying a greeting.
- Shake one, two, three, and out.
Make sure the grip is firm but don’t crush the other as it really can hurt which will give a negative feeling.
The bad handshakes
The trained too firm grip:
The typical firm grip is sometimes so firm you don’t trust him any more as you feel it has been trained.
Not honest – not from his hart.
The Sandwich handshake:
The free hand sandwiches the other person’s hand.
Then one can get really scared, as this method is certainly trained – over trained.
The salesman wants to make a too good impression he is too smooth.
The Over-The-Top handshake
Touching or tapping on your shoulder with his free hand during the handshake.
This gives you the feeling you are being cheated or lied upon.
The salesman is not to be trusted at all as he is coming too near to you.
Sweaty hand:
A sweaty wet hand gives a really bad feel.
If people have sweaty hands, they should swipe their hand(s) before they shake.
Why is the salesman sweating? Is he so unsure? Is he hiding something?
No clean hand:
People should make sure their hand is clean – including their finger nails.
The bad impression having dirty hands – or you are not important enough to take care of his dirty hands.
The too brief shake:
If the hands just touch and the handshake is just down and the person opens his hand again, then apparently he doesn’t want to have anything to do with you.
He doesn’t want your business.
The soft hand:
Some people just can’t give a firm hand and you can feel the weak hand tissue.
Apparently you are not important enough to close his hand firmly for you. If you as a customer are not important then how will he be or treat you after you have signed the deal?
The hesitating handshake
The salesman hesitates for pressing firmly. He is clearly thinking about something else. You are not his focus or on his mind.
Then why do business with him?
The eternal shake
The salesman keeps on shaking your hand and greeting and smiling.
This can be embarrassing, but also could express the hopelessness of the salesman as he hopes to be closer to you.
The salesman clearly has problems reaching his budget.
The fingers only handshake
Apparently the salesman finds you not interesting enough to give you his whole hand in order to keep the contact brief.
Clearly not having the need for your business or he is convinced you will buy in any case.
Not all fingers
Instead of reaching out with all fingers, one or two finger are bent back.
Not clear what the purpose of this is, but this game is not to be trusted.
Crossed fingers
People have their fingers crossed as it is a symbol of breach of contract.
Don’t do business with them.
Do you have a firm handshake of a salesman?
Any more bad handshake types?
More from LEADS Explorer
- The persistent salesman gets the conversation started
- The Good, The Bad and The Ugly salesman
- Emotional Stages of a Salesman during the Sales Process
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