Lesson

I missed my book schedule. Couldn’t really believe it. After my “so-called ferocious” reading, didn’t manage to finish all to return. But it does say one thing. There are things I can do to improve my management of such schedule. Other than the widget, which doesn’t seem to be able to record my progress, perhaps the whiteboard can include my projects schedule. And every morning i commit to looking at it. Just like how looking in the mirror brings out a better self.

And i learned something else. “As a young man just starting out to work, listen to what people are saying. Don’t be quick to defend yourself. Those which are useful, you keep in your pocket. Those not useful, you can turn around and chuck them aside.” Wise words from the celebrity chef Sam Leong. There is a reason why he’s good man.

Yes! : Rhymes increase fluidity.

By having more info on something, as relative to “something else”, you increase persuasiveness. The “something else” doesn’t even have to be related to that event!

People want to complete stuff. So, give them the headstart. Instead of giving them a blank card having to fulfill 8 stamps, give one with 2 chops having to hit 10. Same number. Huge difference in response.

Application in influencing others to complete projects already underway as well.

Unexpected descriptors and ambiguous names lead people to think about positive aspects in order to see link. And by that “Aha” moment you build interest and good feelings.

Simple persuasive messages get through better with slight alcohol.

Remind customers with packaging, Point of Purchase, place at places which are not native. Drinking example, coasters, dorms, frisbees.

Use of mirrors, name tags, use of names, induce feelings of honor in self. Signages with eyes.

Sad people pay more, sell at lower price.

Emotion laden offer takes focus away from numbers(value)

Lack of sleep, distractions cut off thinking process. And all statements when first heard are taken as tree when it is being heard. eg. “Halfcakes”, instead of cupcakes, followed with “they’re delicious!”. Derren Brown distraction. Jolt of mind. Persuasive message follows. Dangerous implications………..

Caffeine increases likelihood to be persuaded by STRONG arguments. Do presentations after morning coffee. Not after lunch or later.

Women more likely to be persuaded face-to-face than men.

Avoid diffusion of responsibility with mass email requests.

Use website backgrounds that emphasize the strengths of your product.

Collectivistic and Individualistic cultures should affect how you phrase your requests. “Remember the last time you helped” vs “Remember how you AND your team mates helped..”

Magnetic Middle: People who deviate from the average tend to move closer to it after being informed of it. From both sides.

To increase walk-ins and participation for events
1) Register area of interest.
2) Ask to ready a question

Long Tail: Knowing what you like Vs Discovering what you want. The difference often lies in the right way of ordering the items and the knowledge which the consumers have in hand.

Rules of Long Tail

1) Store using others spaces(virtual inventory)
2) Let customers do the work via
- Peer-production
- Reviews

Both are about cutting cost.

3) One distribution does not fit all(multiple channels, brick-and-mortar still necessary)
4) One product does not fit all
5) One price does not fit all (auctions, channels)

About the Niche part

6) Share information with the customers (ordering, reviews, rankings)
7) Think “and” not “Or”(Alot of opportunities)
Trust market to do your job (let them figure what they want and measure – ie Post-Filters instead of Pre)
9) Understand power of free (Alot of things can be given free, samples, clips )

Yeap that’s the end of The Long Tail and Yes!50 secrets from the science of persuasion!

Now my next aims: Further career discovery with The Renaissance Soul and Improving Communication skills with Crucial Conversations!

Stay hungry, stay foolish

..And that is what steve jobs said.

The Long Tail:
First force: Demorcratizing production( to populate the tail)
2nd force: Democratizing distribution( so they can physically be transferred to buyers)
3rd force: connecting ss and dd by tapping consumer sentiments.

The limitation as in rhapsody’s case is that the niches eventually run out as well. At least till newer technologies come about.

It is important to create the fan base before you release the album cos the popular vote for a single does not mean loyalty toward the artiste. Same for products. Your customer may love THAT product but not your brand.

A filter is important to the long tail without which there would be too much noise too many items. The Head of Tail could just mean those (songs) appeal to a broad range of tastes. Good quality is available down the Tail as well just that the dynamic range is larger. Long Tail contains many micro Long Tails within genres.

Pre and Post Filters: Idea – What if we could close the gap?
Pre: Magazine articles selection to print
post: reviews

For powerlaws to exist:

1) variety
2) inequality (some having higher quality etc)
3) network effects (word of mouth, reputation available to promote diff products)

Yes!: Humans have an aversion to loss. Coke Story.
Reframe with: “don’t miss out on opportunity to…”
Use “Because..” Get customers to say “because” as well to increase loyalty.
Humans partly make decisions based on fluency. Therefore a scenario of usage which is easier to imagine also = like it better.
Other fluency factors: Names, quality of handwriting(good reason to write better), even fonts that are more readable.

Yes i did my style under stress!

i scored in almost all categories…….wtf?! with a tendency to use silence tactics instead of violence.
Didn’t really start with Heart others are pretty ok. (which i agree actually)

Crucial Conversations: Making is safe for dialogue

Mutual Purpose: Why we need to talk in the first place

What do I want for me?
What do I want for others?
What do I want for the relationship

Mutual Respect: Once talking, for others to continue listening

Do others believe I respect them?

Lets try this again

Mutual purpose was not established..
Mutual respect was one sided

Contrasting Dos and Don’ts
Can we talk about the way our interactions are going? I don’t want you to think I disrespect your right to doing things the way you do or that I’m invading on your life. In fact, I like your effervescence and how you are such a family person. I do hope that we can clear up our misunderstandings about each other and to continue to enjoy each others’ company as friends.

CRIB
Commit to seek mutual purpose: will not settle for non agreeable solution
Recognize purpose behind strategy: Why is the strategy behind their actions
Invent a mutual purpose: In case not the same, discover it by focusing on longer-term goals
Brainstorm: use of creativity to come up with mutually beneficial