[Note: I have recommended this process for years. It has helped lots of people. If you don’t need it now, save this article for when you do. -ME] The best way to find a new job, learn something, launch a new business or project, or find employees or clients for an existing business is by […]
Albert Einstein, on being congratulated that an experiment had confirmed a prediction in his theories of relativity, said, “No amount of experimentation will ever prove me completely right, but one new fact can prove me completely wrong.” Certainty should be reserved for things which are eternally, unquestionably true. Not much meets this criterion. Let’s adopt […]
Suppose we cut corners? Suppose we feather our nests? Suppose we get while the getting is good? Suppose we compete on price? Suppose we sue? Suppose we press our advantage? Suppose we underpay? Suppose we over promise? Suppose we cut our training and development? Suppose we bait and switch? Suppose we baffle? Suppose we trick […]
Having difficulty getting others to see your point of view? Start by demonstrating that you understand theirs. Having difficulty demonstrating that you understand their point of view? Start by asking them about it. When people know you have understood them, they quite naturally open to understanding you. In your corner, Mike Today’s photo credit: […]
Forfeiting business with people we don’t like or at a cost we can’t afford is no real loss at all. In your corner, Mike PS: If it’s not win-win, we have to pass. Today’s photo credit: OliviaKitunen Enid A. Haupt Garden via photopin (license)
There is no law that says we have to compete on price. Despite what people say and what we may fear, we do not need to lower our prices in order to succeed. The law that does apply is the law of supply and demand. If we honestly provide something rare and valuable then people […]
To get others to see things our way, we can try being louder, more energetic, more logical, more polite, or more correct. Or (and this is much faster) we can first demonstrate to their satisfaction that we understand their way of seeing it. In your corner, Mike Today’s photo credit: jimsheaffer Disco Ball […]
Vulnerability, intimacy, caring, and emotional risk. Mostly we’ve learned to avoid these at work. But, adopted with care, these become our power tools. They build trust which builds all great organizations and differentiates us in the marketplace. You see, work is intensely personal, human. These tools help us navigate the important issues and emotions we […]
We can give consequences so that people don’t screw up. “If you don’t complete this by Friday, we might as well kiss the Fortuna deal goodbye!” Or, “We really need to cut this check now or it’ll delay the project.” Threats like this can work in the short term. But they will damage trust and […]
In sales, business development, and networking, our first goal is to open a conversation. That conversation will flow naturally–perhaps in one sitting or many–from getting know each other to exploring each other’s situations, to seeing how we might help each other, and then, if it makes sense, to making some form of agreement. If this […]