Everybody negotiates. Unless you live in a very remote area that requires almost no interaction with other people, your life is going to involve negotiation to some degree. Some people, of course, negotiate frequently as part of their professional responsibilities, others only negotiate in the context of their … [Read more...] about Negotiating with Empathy
Business
How to Disagree, Agreeably
Unless you’re Donald Trump, you’re probably realistic about the fact that not everybody in your life is going to agree with your viewpoints or with the wisdom regarding the way you’ve chosen do things. Most of the time, disagreeing with somebody is a perfectly routine experience and requires no special effort or … [Read more...] about How to Disagree, Agreeably
Thou Shalt Love Thy Customer
Inauthenticity reeks, and it reeks badly. I strain to think of a more obnoxious, offensive, unpleasant experience in my professional life than having a business interaction with somebody who I can tell legitimately does not care about me or my needs. The only interest that this kind of individual has in our business … [Read more...] about Thou Shalt Love Thy Customer
There Are No Shortcuts to Credibility
One of the best bits of advice I ever received during my intellectual and professional development was from a boss and mentor I had when I was about 25 years old. I was working as a website manager for a social networking site, and my boss was the CEO of the company that ran it. After I committed an embarrassing … [Read more...] about There Are No Shortcuts to Credibility
Starting a New Business in California in 10 Steps
Starting a business can be daunting, frustrating, and confusing. If you're planning on starting a business in California, follow this checklist of 10 easy steps to ensure your best chance of success. 1. Have an Idea All businesses start with an idea. Usually, it begins when a prospective business owner … [Read more...] about Starting a New Business in California in 10 Steps