Cold-Calling Secrets From Netflix's 'The Snitch Cartel'All cold-callers should pay attention to one part of the show.

ByDavid Walter

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is a US Federal Agency tasked with combating illegal drugs. What you might not know, however, is that they also have to convince informants of criminal organizations to betray their bosses in order to testify against the cartels, making it one of the very few agencies that actually cold call people as part of the job.

The Netflix showThe Snitch Cartel: Origins屏幕上显示了这个过程。当爱德华·瑞恩federal prosecutor, was trying to bring down the Cali cartel in Colombia, he tried to reach out to the cartel's security officer, Jorge Salcedo. He hoped he could flip him into becoming an informant. Jorge refused because of his deep loyalty, but Edward used a powerful rebuttal that flipped Jorge's mindset — he questioned the cartel's loyalty towards him.

Here is how the conversation went:

The first agent begins by complimenting him, saying, "I understand you have principles, and I respect that! But think about it — what if the situation were reversed? Do you think the Villegas family would be as loyal as you are to them?"

Jorge answers thoughtfully, "They have been good to me so far." The agent replies ominously, "You said it yourself — so far." The agent answers him back forcefully, but without hesitation saying, "But we don't know what could happen in the future! Don't you remember they turned their backs on Colonel Gutierrez — with the Diana Turbay thing?"

His voice is heavy as he continues to stress his point by adding, "Think about it, Sandoval! Because the question here isn't if they will betray you, it's when!"

We can learn three power points from this rebuttal:

1. Compliment

First, always compliment an objection.

2. Change the prospect's focus

Second, when faced with a loyalty objection, it's critical to get the prospect to look at the situation the other way around. Yes, you are loyal to your vendor — but what if the situation were reversed? Would your vendor be as loyal? Are they loyal right now?

Related:7 Cold Calling Secret Tips to Get Past Gatekeepers

3. Make your points stand out

You need to hammer this point in by demonstrating proof that the vendor has not been loyal. In this case, the agent mentions that cartels have a history of betraying those who had once been loyal to them. You can mention how their current provider has not provided basic levels of services that would be expected from someone looking out for his or her clients' best interest, such as providing the latest technology.

Related:3 Prospecting Lessons You Can Learn From the Devil

4. Speak of the future

Lastly, It's best to talk about the future as an unknown. Your vendor has been good so far, but we don't know what could happen in the future. They may lose a key employee, grow too fast and outsource some services, or worse yet, sell their company.

When you use these powerful techniques, you can plant a deep seed of doubt in a prospect's mind.

Related:20 Lessons Learned From Making 2,000 B2B Cold Calls in Just 20 Days

Wavy Line
David Walter

Author, Speaker and Sales Training

David Walter is an author, speaker and sales trainer. His claim to fame came from a cold-calling hot streak, during which he set 15 appointments a day for six months straight. He later ran a marketing call center, helping companies make millions. His book is a No. 1 best-seller on Amazon.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

领导

Employers: The Burden of Going Back Into The Office Is Not as Bad as You Think — It's Worse.

Leaders falsely perceive employee wellbeing to be already high and believe the burden of going to the office will be not that bad in this broader context. This disconnect between perception and reality is what I call the "Wellbeing Paradox."

Business Ideas

The 11 Best Self-Employed Jobs for Today's Market

Are you looking to step away from the normal workflow and become your own boss? Check out these 11 business ideas to become a boss today.

领导

How Entrepreneurs Can Fuel Innovation and Push Societal Limits

The most successful and influential entrepreneurs are those who are driven by the belief that they can make a difference in the world.

Science & Technology

She's Been Coding Since Age 7 and Presented Her Life-Saving App to Tim Cook Last Year. Now 17, She's on Track to Solve Even Bigger Problems.

Angelina Tsuboi, a full-stack mobile and web developer who also happens to be a pilot, has always been solution-oriented.

Career

Job vs. Career: Top Differences and Insights Between the Two

Are you looking to jump into your career or just need a paycheck? Check out the key differences between a job and a career.