Practical Sales Training™ > How To Convert > Sticking Plaster solution
What is it?
A sticking plaster solution is a quick fix that looks like it works but doesn’t actually solve the real problem. It covers the symptoms, not the cause. Just like an energy drink gives a short burst of energy without improving your sleep or nutrition, many business solutions promise fast results but leave the deeper issues untouched. They look appealing, they sound easy, and they might even deliver a short-term boost, but the problem always comes back.
How does it work?
Sticking plaster solutions work by appearing to solve something. They offer instant gratification, a simple trick, a short-term fix, a surface-level promise. That’s why they sell so well. But because they don’t address the root cause, they create a false sense of progress. Businesses get hooked on them, wasting time and money chasing small wins instead of fixing what really matters. Over time, these quick fixes lead to fatigue, frustration, and confusion because nothing truly changes underneath.
How can you use it?
Use the idea of sticking plaster solutions to position your competitors as the quick-fix option and your offer as the lasting solution. Talk about how others sell temporary boosts, shortcuts, or shiny new tactics, while you focus on real, measurable, and sustainable results. Show prospects the difference between treating symptoms and solving the problem properly. If your offer genuinely tackles the cause, not just the pain, this framing builds trust, authority, and differentiation.
You’re not selling the plaster. You’re healing the wound.
Example
A classic, relatable example of a sticking plaster solution is to drink energy drinks and coffee instead of addressing the true cause – your diet and lifestyle.
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