One does not have to be in a cult to act like a cult member. It is not a surprise to come across angry, brash, and obtuse people behaving like cult members. However, when people in professional positions act like cult members, it is frustrating, to say the least. Cult members are rigid, often emotional, […]
When smartphones came out, everyone was installing apps indiscreetly. More, the better. Now, users install an app only if it is something they will use frequently. When the electronic newsletter was a new thing, people subscribed to them by the tens. Now, the newsletters show up unsolicited, and people unsubscribe them by the tens. Until […]
My friend, Chris, called to complain about how a homeowner, who has listed her house with him, will not cooperate in staging the home best. He had tried to persuade her with all the logic he could muster. Many negotiators dive into persuasion mode. Skilled negotiators focus on uncovering the real issues. How? With active […]
“Simplicity is the ideal virtue. Oh! how difficult it is to be Simple!” Google placed a simple rectangle for search. Write or ask anything, it will fetch the relevant information. Several other search engines had their websites crammed with everything except search box, placed conspicuously. Google won. Toyota began manufacturing Corolla in the U.S. in […]
Anything you are afraid to do, practice doing it. Practice gets rid of fear. With practice, it becomes a habit. If you’re afraid to play the piano, play a little every day. Learn the notes. Begin with simple music. Play when you are alone. Record yourself. Play a bit more. Every day, tick-tock, tick-tock, a […]
Mind chattering is the continuous narrative going on in our heads. Some scholars call it a bug. That may be a hasty assessment. Mind chatter is the raw material for Sci-Fi writers. France wants to hire the creatives to imagine how the future could go wrong so that the nations can stay one step […]
Let us face it. Life is a negotiation. You negotiate with your spouse, your children, your colleagues, even your commercial alliances and competitors… the list goes on. If you have read, “The World Is A BAZAAR – LIFE IS A NEGOTIATION – Skills to inject success, creativity, and fun in your life, relationships, and work,” […]
Finally, before and during negotiation, learn from similar situations in your or a different industry. What did the parties do to achieve favorable outcomes? A franchisor haggling on price can present a tremendous negotiating opportunity for the marketing company. The marketing company can give an acceptable discount in exchange for a longer contract term with […]