Rescue Timmy From The Well

In case you’re unfamiliar with this television trope, the headline of this post refers to the TV series Lassie where the faithful collie companion runs barking to the family’s home in order to sound the alarm that their son (Timmy) had fallen into a well and was in need of rescue. If it weren’t for the heroic canine, the poor lad might have drowned!

What’s the matter, girl?
Did Timmy fall in the well??

Now, put aside the fact that this episode never actually happened even though this legendary line has been referenced in innumerable television shows, movies, comedy skits, comic strips, and pretty much any other media you can image — it’s the concept of rescuing Timmy that I want to talk about.

You have customers that need help and prospects that need to be rescued, but you have to keep your eyes and ears open for the warning alarm (before they drown in that well).

You may not have a pet collie that is going to come bark on your door step or grab your shirt in their teeth and start dragging you toward the emergency, but there are signs that customers have problems they need your help solving (if you’re paying attention).

You may not have a Lassie, but you have other customers and vendors and employees and family members who (through the course of normal conversation) may tell the story of a friend or contact in their business network that is struggling with an issue they can’t seem to resolve and are feeling in a bit over their head.

Well, well, well… Here’s an opportunity to rescue Timmy!

When you hear about someone in trouble, it is only human to want to help make things better. Can the product or service you offer make things better for the symbolic well this person is trapped in? If so, who wouldn’t you want to lend a hand to help them out?

People you rescue tend to appreciate your help

You’ll be their hero and they will sing your praises to other people in their network, especially others who are also in need of your rescue services. Finding people to help is a lot more rewarding (and a lot more human) than trying to find people on whom you can force a business sales pitch.

You know how you feel when people contact you with spam email and spam phone calls and spam junk mail and spam Linkedin connections?

Everybody else feels that way too!