This past week offered three enticements to write this blogpost. First, I saw a YouTube video of a guitarist to whom I pay attention. Then, I am scheduled to revisit of a sponsorship that may or may not continue. Lastly, I’m pretty happy to announce the on-boarding of a new sponsor for certain activities of mine.
Before I go on, and appropriately so, my sponsors are…
No Such Thing As A Solo Endorsement
This video is of Rabea Massaad. You may have seen him on this, his own channel, or on Andersons Music Co‘s channel or in music videos of the band Dorje. He’s a hell of a guitarist. Like his playing, Rabea speaks on topics in a sober, expressive way. The above video is an excellent example. Of those who offer their endorsement of what you are doing, Massaad said:
You have to be able to offer a lot…probably more than they can offer you.
Rabea Massaad, 2017
It took me a moment to realize why that made such an impression on me. It’s my own value and assumption! THAT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD WHEN IT COMES TO ENDORSEMENTS. For example, when I give talks on How & Why To Conduct Informational Interviews, I tell people as part of the definition of an informational interview that…
It’s NOT about you!
The same goes for endorsements. In fact, it may not be about the endorser either. That’s why there’s a negotiation.
Negotiating
No negotiation should give away everything.
In grad school, I learned in my Negotiating and Persuasion Strategies course, courtesy of Professor Scott Swenson, the definition of a negotiation.
Any method of negotiation may be fairly judged by three criteria: It should produce a wise agreement if agreement is possible. It should be efficient. And it should improve or at least not damage the relationship between the parties. (A wise agreement can be defined as one that meets the legitimate interests of each side to the extent possible, resolves conflicting interests fairly, is durable, and takes community interests into account.)
Fisher, Roger, and William Ury, 2011
Upon learning that ‘Live Interviews of the Ambitious‘ was shifting strategies, Colten Tidwell contacted me. He wanted to know how best to support me given that my events can no longer take place in their offices. (They have relocated. The space will not allow.)
Wise Agreement
The negotiation has nothing to do with Colten, Gravitate, its staff, ‘Live Interviews of the Ambitious’, audience members, or me. No, I know Colten well enough to know that he and I fundamentally agree on what’s important: the community.
Efficient
Would Gravitate’s support mean supporting the community? Simultaneously, would my acceptance of support from Gravitate bolster my programming’s support of the community? There are some assumptions here, e.g. that both parties represent the other’s values, etc. In the end, are the interests of association serving the ultimate goal?
Relationship
Through the wise agreement and an efficient negotiation, a positive relationship can and will result, at least in my case with Gravitate. They can revoke their endorsement for whatever their agenda, and I would be pleased to refer others to Gravitate. Again, our association is based on what can be done in the community – that’s why we entered into the sponsorship agreement in the first place.
I’m looking forward to learning what Colten and I can put together that serves everyone involved.
New Sponsor
How flattered was I when Scott Fish and Sonja Skvarla of Off Road agreed to help promote my March and May events online and in person.
Off Road is the result of the recent merger of their two companies. It exists singularly as a strategic process and marketing strategy consultancy that supports growth-stage clientele.
ABOUT DANNY
An expert at informational interviewing, my name is Danny Rehr of Rehr Consulting. I am a Genuine Consultant who supports the ambitions of others to meet promise and potential. My MBA is concentrated in Strategy. I have 20 years of work experience, most of which is in the field of organization development. Additionally, I informationally interview local professionals and write research-backed articles about their ambition. Rounding out my activities, I give talks on How and Why To Conduct Informational Interviews (for job seekers, networking and professional development), contribute guest blogposts, and I volunteer in the community. I love coffee and fountain pens!
Fisher, Roger, and William Ury. Getting to YES: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In. Edited by Bruce Patton, 3rd ed., Penguin Books, 2011.
**Seeking Immediate Work in Rockville, MD area** 