Where should you sit?

Business meetings are often held at a table or desk. One side of the negotiation (or argument) sits on one side of the table; the other side of the negotiation sits… on the other side. (amazing insight, I know)

If business is war, then the negotiation table is the battle field.

But good negotiations don’t have to be a battle. In reality, they should be a collaborative approach to problem solving.

Here are a few tips to improve your influence… just based on where you sit.

Continue reading “Where should you sit?”

Just Say No

The late Jim Camp, one of the worlds “most feared negotiators,” was a big fan of the word No.

Camp even wrote a few books around this idea, No and Start with No.

Photo "CL Society 218: Crossing arms" by Francisco Osorio, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
“I said No and I mean No!” Photo “CL Society 218: Crossing arms” by
Francisco Osorio, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

No, Camp reasoned, allowed people to hold on to the status quo. No didn’t require action, No didn’t force someone to do something they weren’t prepared to do.

Continue reading “Just Say No”

10 Things You’ll Learn from “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss

I’m always in the lookout for new books of interest. I tend to buy far more than I have time to read, and it ensures I always have something cooking in my brain.

List subscriber Philippe wrote in a month ago to suggest Chris Voss’ Never Split the Difference. Philippe said it might be the best book on persuasion that he had read. I bought it… and immediately moved it to the top of my pile.

Is this the best book on persuasion I've ever read? It just might be…
Is this the best book on persuasion I’ve ever read? It just might be…

Continue reading “10 Things You’ll Learn from “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss”

Business Growth with Ben Settle
(Persuasion Play Podcast 007)

I’m not entirely sure when I first heard about copywriter Ben Settle from  BenSettle.com. I signed up for his daily email list in July of 2018, some 10 months ago. I’ve since received over 600 emails from him.

And I open every one.

Ben’s emails discuss email marketing and adjusting your mindset towards success.

Ben Settle is known for hi daily email methods and business advice
Ben Settle is known for hi daily email methods and business advice

Continue reading “Business Growth with Ben Settle
(Persuasion Play Podcast 007)”

10 Things You’ll Learn in “Win Bigly” by Scott Adams

Way back in 2012, my wife and I traveled by Amtrak train to Chicago to visit some friends. Between card games in the bar car and beautiful scenery out the window, I read a book about Negotiation.

I was interested in making more money. I wasn’t sure how to ask or even if I was in the right profession. Continue reading “10 Things You’ll Learn in “Win Bigly” by Scott Adams”

Betting on the Boardwalk
Six Trump Tactics for Deal Making

In 1975, Trump hears of a casino worker strike at two Hilton hotels. When he learns that those two casino locations account for 40% of Hilton’s global profits, Trump decides to get in the casino business. Continue reading “Betting on the Boardwalk
Six Trump Tactics for Deal Making”

Trump’s Real Estate Coups during Manhattan’s Budget Crisis

Put yourself in the action.

That’s how Donald Trump made his first real estate deals in Manhattan.

In 1971, Trump moved into a Manhattan apartment. He began to learn the city and it’s real estate. He talked his way into a club membership at Le Club, where he has the opportunity to rub elbows with future business associates. As a non-drinker, Trump figured he had an advantage in business when he saw how hard the Manhattanites drank. Continue reading “Trump’s Real Estate Coups during Manhattan’s Budget Crisis”

“I aim very high, and then I just keep pushing”

Not everyone is born a deal-maker, Trump warns us. Some people have the instincts, and some don’t. Even if someone has the instincts, they may never get off their couch to try something more ambitious. People are afraid to take chances and that holds them back.

I think we can agree that Trump has been in business for a very long time. He probably knows a thing or two about deals.

"Trump Tower" by Tripp, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
“Trump Tower” by Tripp, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

Chapter two of The Art of the Deal covers Trump’s approach to deal making.

Continue reading ““I aim very high, and then I just keep pushing””