When it stops moving.
WHAT STALLING LOOKS LIKE
No response Repeated postponement Vague assurances Dates that pass
WHAT IT USUALLY MEANS
Priorities changed Someone objected Budget disappeared It was never real
WHAT TO DO FIRST
Ask directly.
WHAT TO ASK
Where this stands, and whether it is still something they intend to do.
WHY DIRECTLY
Ambiguity costs more than a clear no.
WHAT TO AVOID
Repeated soft follow-ups Pretending nothing has changed
WHAT TO DO IF THEY RESPOND WITH A REASON
Address it if you can.
WHAT TO DO IF THEY DO NOT RESPOND
Send a closing message.
WHAT IT SHOULD SAY
That you assume it is not proceeding, that you will stop following up, and that they can return.
WHY IT WORKS
It frequently produces a reply, and it closes cleanly otherwise.
WHAT NOT TO INCLUDE
Guilt A final discount
WHY NOT A DISCOUNT
It confirms that price was the obstacle, when it usually was not.
WHAT TO DO WITH STALLED DEALS
Move them out of the pipeline.
WHY
They distort forecasting and occupy attention.
WHAT TO DO IN MONTHS
Return, with something new.
WHAT TO REVIEW
How many deals stall, and at which stage.
WHAT THAT INDICATES
Qualification failing earlier.
