Bona tempora volvantur--by Guy Kawasaki: The Art of Sucking Down

Bona tempora volvantur--by Guy Kawasaki: The Art of Sucking Down

One of the great misconceptions of selling, pitching, and partnering--basically, any time you want to get someone to do something for you--is that you should suck up to the people with the big titles and “A list” designation. Sometimes you do--as you've already read in this blog, but the ability to suck up to the folks who don't have big titles but make the world run is more useful.

Shortly put:

1. Understand the dynamic:
- find out who has the power to fulfill your need

2. Understand their needs

3. Be important
- do repeated business with same company

4. Make them smile

5. Don't try to buy your way in

6. But do express your gratitude on the way out

7. Never complain

8. Rack up the karmic points
- when you have the opportunity to help others, do so--and do so with glee

9. Accept what cannot be changed

My favorite quote of the article:

“Be nice to people on the way up because you're going to see them again on the way down.”

Check the full article on Guy's site.