- May 1, 2018 -
Imagine putting Donald Trump and Kevin O'Leary in a room together.
"You're fired!"
"You can't fire me...because you're dead to me!"
Two ego-driven personalities going head to head.
O'Leary, the Shark Tank producer-appointed villain encouraged to be a little more evil in the early seasons, once told a crying female contestant, "Money doesn't care. Your tears don't add any value."
Trump, portrayed on The Apprentice as smart, decisive, blunt, rich - really rich - and never wrong, most probably benefited from the franchise becoming the launchpad for his presidential campaign.
Both shows were/are hits. Rating bonanzas that became national phenomenons.
While I've enjoyed watching both, I have a problem with the core premise of Shark Tank...
The show's premise is that anyone who comes on the show isn't capable of making a go of it on their own.
And so they make their pitch with hat in hand...ready to beg, borrow or steal for the privilege of "partnering" with a shark.
All in exchange for handing over an insane amount of equity in their business.
Bah...
I love it when a rogue contestant who has been given several offers pauses dramatically, takes a big breath...and turns them down!
Double fist pump!!
That business owner has just broken through the "fourth wall" (the imaginary wall that controls the boundaries in television production) and given the middle finger to the all-knowing and powerful gurus, the sharks.
I know...my cantankerous, contrarian nature rises again. Lol
But seriously. Since when is "entrepreneurial" a synonym for "unemployable"?
I maintain that the most important trait you'll ever need as a businessman or woman is a whole lot of stubbornness...
...boosted by the right support and encouragement.
Because stubbornness tempered by wisdom equals confidence.
When you're confident, you're playing your highest game.
When your audience (who, by the way, is always your litmus test) is picking up what you're throwing down and engaging with your message.
When your audience is paying attention to your offer and wants to learn more about how you can help them make their biggest pain go away.
When your audience is buying what you're selling.
That's your green light.
That's when you move forward with confidence.
One way to protect your confidence?
+ Get a little giddy when someone unsubscribes from your list.
Let 'em go, let 'em go. You've just gotten rid of a potential problem who isn't aligned with your message. You've dodged a bullet.
"Needy" salesmen starve!
Always come from a position of strength.
And strength comes from knowing how your audience thinks...sales is rooted in psychology.
If you haven't read "19 Examples of Sales Psychology and Conversion Techniques" our business partner Todd Gregorcic wrote, it's a must-read.
Especially interesting given that today's topic is addressed in technique #12 on establishing yourself as the Celebrity-Authority in your industry.
You can download it here...no optin required.
Go sell something!
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