What question are you asking about the cloud?

I took a cold call today from someone who dropped a name on me.  I immediately new the name and said, "Yes, Mark's a friend of mine, what can I help you with".  Seems relatively harmless on the surface, but truth be told...I have never met or spoken to Mark!  My only interaction with Mark is via group discussions on linkedin.  A common occurrence these days for connecting and building relationships

Discussion groups are interesting, 1000's of question posed in 1000's of groups.  Some are rather simple, "Why do you like sales?", "What is cloud computing" and even "Does anyone know someone who will clean my gutters?"  These are great for generating discussion and connection with like-thinkers, but where are the good questions?

Youth learn is a website that is designed to support our youth and assist them as they move into adulthood.  In this article they give a great tutorial on how to ask questions, "How does light help people?"  I love this question because you immediately have to think.

My friend Penelope has a blog with more than 40,000 followers (I know not REALLY a friend, but if you have read her enough you would call her one too) and she too is a huge fan of asking questions, but they must be good questions.   She has great advice, "if you want to ask good questions, practice by answering other peoples questions."  

As sales professionals we sometimes get consumed with preaching, talking, and selling, and we forget about asking good questions.  Our questions are more generic, "So Mr. Customer, Tell me about your business" or "Mr. Customer, if you could solve one issue today, what would it be?"...but...What if you ask, "Mr. Customer, what is the primary benefit your company provides to your clients" or "Mr. Customer, when your not in meetings what are you thinking about?"

I hope to find a group that is willing to share from there own arsenal of question asking.  

I am not claiming to be an expert cross-examiner, but I do understand that we are embarking on another great technological transformation.  Virtualization and cloud computing will change the way businesses will deliver information technology.  Who are you connecting with...and what questions are you asking?