An update from the field, now that I’ve restarted pet sitting from our home in Tucson …
Here’s another layer of what my dogs continue to teach me about client enrollment.
For many years, my Cockapoo Champion served as my Chief Compatibility Officer. His role is now complete. He crossed the Rainbow Bridge, having done his job exceedingly well. 🐾
These days, Basha — a ten month old Teddy Bear Mini Golden Doodle — has stepped into that role with quiet confidence.
During meet-and-greets, I ask very specific questions.
How solid is potty training?
Does the dog chew furniture or personal items?
Does the dog enjoy car rides?
Where does the dog usually sleep?
Are vaccinations current?
Any issues with barking or aggressive behavior?
On the surface, these are practical questions.
On a deeper level, they signal something important to the humans.
They let people know I take doing right by their dog seriously.
And somewhere along the way, the energy shifts.
The owners realize they’re not interviewing me.
They’re quietly wondering if their dog qualifies to stay here.
That decision resides with me (and my husband).
Here’s the part that matters most for business owners.
The people reaching out already have a trip planned.
A vacation.
A meaningful life experience where their dog is not coming along.
The need for loving, safe, competent care is time-sensitive.
This is not an “I’ll think about it for a few months” situation.
It’s a real problem that needs a real solution now.
So the human takeaway is this:
> For those of us doing business online or on the ground,
>> How are you positioning your work as a solution to a real, time-sensitive need?
Not through pressure.
Not through hype.
But through clarity.
Through standards.
Through the kind of calm confidence that quietly says:
This matters.
I take this seriously.
And not everyone is a fit.
That’s reverse enrollment at work.
One final question to sit with:
Where in your business are you still letting people into the house before the meet-and-greet has truly happened?
If you missed my prior post about reverse enrollment lessons learned from my dog, here is the link:
