Comments on: Saying No Sucks (Part II) http://www.highway12ventures.com/2010/02/02/saying-no-sucks-part-ii/ A Pioneering Spirit Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:16:52 +0000 hourly 1 By: Nora McDougall http://www.highway12ventures.com/2010/02/02/saying-no-sucks-part-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-4654 Nora McDougall Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:39:31 +0000 http://www.highway12ventures.com/?p=1858#comment-4654 Ironic smile here! I recently lost $$$ on a client who decided he didn't need to pay for software work I did. Because it was someone I trusted, we didn't have a written contract. Not so sharp a negotiator that time. Sometimes we just have to learn the hard way! Ironic smile here! I recently lost $$$ on a client who decided he didn't need to pay for software work I did. Because it was someone I trusted, we didn't have a written contract. Not so sharp a negotiator that time. Sometimes we just have to learn the hard way!

]]> By: Mark Solon http://www.highway12ventures.com/2010/02/02/saying-no-sucks-part-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-4637 Mark Solon Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:02:33 +0000 http://www.highway12ventures.com/?p=1858#comment-4637 Sounds like you're an experienced negotiator Nora. You're right, there were definitely a few flags in there. This is a great example about how only with experience do these "flags" show themselves. When I was younger I'd tend to overlook them and focus on the positives. Now that I've got some gray hair, they tend to jump out more... Sounds like you're an experienced negotiator Nora. You're right, there were definitely a few flags in there. This is a great example about how only with experience do these "flags" show themselves. When I was younger I'd tend to overlook them and focus on the positives. Now that I've got some gray hair, they tend to jump out more…

]]> By: Nora McDougall http://www.highway12ventures.com/2010/02/02/saying-no-sucks-part-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-4636 Nora McDougall Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:33:17 +0000 http://www.highway12ventures.com/?p=1858#comment-4636 I personally prefer the type of communication that says, "Let's see if what we have to offer each other is a good fit." That levels the playing field and assumes the desire for a win-win situation. Flag #2: It sounds like the guy has no problem stretching the truth about "deals" he has made. I've worked with a couple of guys like that. My take home lesson was to watch my back with them. Flag #3: There was no "thanks for your time ..." Whenever you spend time with someone with no deal, there is still gain on both sides. The gain may be that you learned something new. The gain may be that you met someone interesting, who will be a future contact. Or, the gain may be that you learned who and what tricks to avoid! I personally prefer the type of communication that says, "Let's see if what we have to offer each other is a good fit." That levels the playing field and assumes the desire for a win-win situation.

Flag #2: It sounds like the guy has no problem stretching the truth about "deals" he has made. I've worked with a couple of guys like that. My take home lesson was to watch my back with them.

Flag #3: There was no "thanks for your time …" Whenever you spend time with someone with no deal, there is still gain on both sides. The gain may be that you learned something new. The gain may be that you met someone interesting, who will be a future contact. Or, the gain may be that you learned who and what tricks to avoid!

]]> By: Mark Solon http://www.highway12ventures.com/2010/02/02/saying-no-sucks-part-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-4635 Mark Solon Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:25:40 +0000 http://www.highway12ventures.com/?p=1858#comment-4635 Nora, this is a terrific question and very insightful of you. You'd be surprised at how often an entrepreneur will act "coy". I'm not sure if it's to throw off some body language that either A) they don't need the money that badly or B) they've got lots of capital options and we're just one of them. Earlier in my career, I would be a little put off by that but a long time ago I realized that it's just part of the "dance". While I'm not condoning it (the more transparent an entrepreneur is, the more I'm attracted to them), it's just part of the process. It usually goes away after 15 minutes of conversation. If it doesn't, then it's a yellow flag. Thanks again for the terrific question. Nora, this is a terrific question and very insightful of you. You'd be surprised at how often an entrepreneur will act "coy". I'm not sure if it's to throw off some body language that either A) they don't need the money that badly or B) they've got lots of capital options and we're just one of them.

Earlier in my career, I would be a little put off by that but a long time ago I realized that it's just part of the "dance". While I'm not condoning it (the more transparent an entrepreneur is, the more I'm attracted to them), it's just part of the process. It usually goes away after 15 minutes of conversation. If it doesn't, then it's a yellow flag. Thanks again for the terrific question.

]]> By: Nora McDougall http://www.highway12ventures.com/2010/02/02/saying-no-sucks-part-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-4634 Nora McDougall Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:14:01 +0000 http://www.highway12ventures.com/?p=1858#comment-4634 Why was he "playing coy" with you, if he went to you? I see three things in the items you mention that don't make him sound like a guy I would like very much. Why was he "playing coy" with you, if he went to you? I see three things in the items you mention that don't make him sound like a guy I would like very much.

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