by Oluwatoyin Ademola
I had a conversation with a group of Marketing and Sales Executives earlier this week. During our discussion, they revealed that the main challenge they were experiencing was losing market share, or to put it in their words “Customer Attrition”. So, I asked a few questions.
• What’s more important to you – Influencing or getting the deal done?
• How do you get to be your stakeholder’s partner in business growth and success?
• On a scale of 1- 10 (1 being the lowest, 10 being the highest), how would rate your stakeholder relationship currency?
Then I asked this main question, “Have you ever watched the God Father Trilogy?” They had watched it ages ago, but nothing valuable stood out for them. We came up with a plan to watch the trilogy over 3 days with the objective being how these movies relate to entrepreneurship, influencing and to growth.
Here’s some of what came up.
1. Building and nurturing relationships: The Godfather emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships, trust, and long-term partnerships in business.
2. Strategic thinking and long-term planning: The Godfather showcases the power of strategic thinking and long-term planning.
3. Adaptability and resilience: The characters in the Godfather Trilogy demonstrate adaptability and resilience in the face of adversity.
4. Negotiation and persuasion skills: The Godfather Trilogy showcases the art of negotiation and persuasion. The characters use their skills to influence others, strike deals, and gain advantages in business situations.
6. Managing conflicts and resolving disputes: The Godfather Trilogy illustrates the importance of managing conflicts and resolving disputes in a business environment. Entrepreneurs can learn the value of effective conflict resolution strategies and the impact it has on maintaining relationships and achieving objectives.
While The Godfather Trilogy is a fictional portrayal of organized crime, it offers valuable insights into various aspects of business that can be applied by entrepreneurs and highlights why relationships and building networks matter.
The art of business influencing is critical for success in the business world. It plays a pivotal role in various aspects of business, including sales, partnerships, negotiations, and leadership – critical for achieving sales, building relationships, negotiating successfully, and leading effectively. It empowers entrepreneurs to effectively communicate their ideas, build trust, and persuade others to take desired actions, ultimately driving business success.
