Why is it hard to sell technology to the aging industry? What do you think??
Thursday Dec 10th at 2pm EST, bunch of us are getting together and having a roundtable discussion on sales techniques and obstacles in the aging and technology industry. Please join in to listen or share your thoughts with us on this interactive forum. OPEN TO ANYONE & EVERYONE IN THE AGING and/or TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY.
Join us 2pm EST/1pm CST. Just go to: www.dimdim.com, meeting room: grandcare
Dial in info listed on the webinar!
1. What have your experiences been selling technology to the aging population and their families?
2. Where have you seen the most success?
3. Where the least?
4. THE CLOSE!! The 20 billion dollar question! How do you go from interest to the install?
5. What are some hurdles that you see in this industry? Is it the technology itself? Is it the price? Is it that the aging population refuses to admit they may need help? Is it that the family is in denial that they need help? Maybe a little bit of all? FEEDBACK DESIRED!
Please Join us for this interesting conversation, contribute & learn. Like we always say, REMEMBER, the aging tsunami will FLOAT ALL BOATS! Or as Michael Sarfatti (SmartSilvers) wisely said, We can either hang together or we can hang alone!
These Aging and Technology Conferences are hosted weekly by GrandCare Systems. These webinar/calls were designed to learn from each other, cooperate, share information & network in the 20 billion dollar aging and technology industry. All are welcome! To receive weekly notifications on the call topics, please register here: http://dealerwww.grandcare.com
GrandCare is a complete communication, cognition and wellness assessment system to address physical needs of our aging population, keep caregivers informed and at ease, while addressing the socialization, cognition and connectivity needs of seniors today! Visit www.grandcare.com. GrandCare is now accepting dealers. Email gcsales@homecontrols.com for more information!
Thanks and Keep the Vision!
Laura H Mitchell
GrandCare Systems
www.grandcare.com
262-338-6147
I think you need to ask consumers this question. I am not selling so I can only pass on what I have seen as a consumer (not for myself as yet, but for clients I help and my own family members).
I would say the markup (and ultimately the end expense to the consumer) is a significant problem that taints the whole industry. People realize that materials alone, and even a reasonable fee to pay for design and/or engineering pre-assembly work, plus the labour and equipment to actually manufacture items, doesn’t seem to even come close to adding up to the end cost.
It’s perceived as a seller’s market most often, with little competition and a lot of glitzy marketing, and even selling canes or walkers gets lumped in with the rest of the big-business health industry. In addition, when these items are needed, it often feels like a hostage-taking situation that often gives the consumer a bad taste in their mouth. Whether buying supportive equipment for children with disabilities or aids for seniors, seems in my experience that I hear the same things.
What most helps to sell is (are) caring professionals who help consumers to navigate the system, find subsidies, make their own equipment for nominal cost, borrow equipment from networks of consumers who no longer need the equipment and/or have grown out of it or past its utility, and ensure, come hell or high water, that the consumer’s need for the equipment is met in the most cost-effective, humane, responsive and encouraging way. These same people often tell me the same things I have reported above – so I think that must be a powerful encouragement for companies and their sales representatives to consider.
Hello Terry, Thanks so much for your insightful comment!!!
Here is the recording of the call (note, there are no visuals): http://rec1.dimdim.com/view/dimdim/2f6ebd1a-370d-102d-9515-003048642bd7