← fonio
fonio role-play cheat sheet
For the mock cold call at the end of most SDR interviews.
What they sell, in one line
An AI phone assistant that answers calls for small businesses 24/7, built for German-language calls and GDPR.
Who you'd be calling
Owners and office managers at small businesses, like clinics, trades and service shops, mostly German-speaking.
Your opener
“Hello Mr. Weber, this is Alex from fonio. We make an AI phone assistant that picks up your calls when you're busy or closed. Do you have a minute so I can ask how you handle missed calls today?”
Problems you solve for them
- Missed calls mean lost customers
- Staff get pulled away from work to answer the phone
- Hiring a receptionist is costly, and nobody covers after-hours calls
Discovery questions to ask
- What happens to calls when nobody can pick up?
- Who answers the phone right now, and how much of their day does it take?
- Roughly how many calls do you think go unanswered in a week?
Objections they'll throw at you
“I'm busy right now.”
→ Of course, you're running a business. Could I call back at a better time, maybe this afternoon or tomorrow morning?
“Not interested.”
→ Fair enough. Just so I know, is missing calls simply not a problem for you, or is it more that you haven't found a good fix?
“We already have a receptionist or answering service.”
→ That's good to hear. Does someone cover evenings, lunch breaks and busy moments too, and would it be worth seeing how we could back them up?
“Send me an email.”
→ Happy to. What kind of calls do you get most, so I send something relevant, and can I follow up with you early next week?
Interview tips for this company
- The product is built for German-language calls, so check the job listing for language needs and be ready to show your German if it applies.
- Know why GDPR matters to small businesses in Europe, and be ready to say it simply: where call data goes and who can see it.
Written from public information about fonio to help you practice. Ask an insider what their role play looked like; it's the best prep there is.