Art of Business

Succeeding in the world of business requires a deep understanding of the subtler principles of trust, attraction, confidence, and judgment. In this vertical, we share our unique approach to networking, deal making and negotiation, entrepreneurship, and productivity. From getting things done to negotiating a raise to meeting new customers, this section will offer new exercises and tools to up your professional game.

How to Create a Great Elevator Pitch

March 10, 2016 by Johnny Dzubak
Here are 13 reasons why you shouldn't compare yourself against the success of others. With your unique perspective, can you think of more? Share with us!

An “elevator pitch” is so called because you’re supposed to be able to summarize your pitch so quickly that you can effectively get it across in an elevator ride. The idea here is if you’re ever lucky enough to trap Richard Branson in an elevator for three minutes, you can pitch him on your killer idea and get him to … Read More

in Networking

The Secret to Starting Meetings off in Your Favor

September 10, 2015 by Ella Banks
Try this easy email trick to ensure your first meeting with someone goes smoothly and wastes no time with introductions that should have already been made.

Let’s say you have an in-person meeting coming up with someone you don’t know too well yet. It might be a planning session, a sales call, an informational interview, a negotiation, or just a friendly lunch. Whatever the context, you want the other person to understand who you are and why you’re meeting — and ultimately take you seriously from … Read More

in Art of Business, Productivity

Kevin Kermes | Bridge the Direct Experience Gap (Episode 418)

June 22, 2015 by AJ Harbinger

It’s never too late to shed a lousy job description. Learn to bridge the direct experience gap and stop enduring work you hate. “It’s painful to learn new stuff, [but] I learned how to surf and snowboard at 40!” -Kevin Kermes The Cheat Sheet: Why it’s critical to translate your skills (and the #1 way people fail when trying). How … Read More

in Business, Connecting, Deal Making & Negotiations, Networking, Podcast

Marsha Shandur: Saying Yes to Networking

March 13, 2015 by AJ Harbinger
Do you like networking or is it just a necessary evil only to be done when absolutely necessary? Sharpen your skill set with this episode of AoC.

“Networking is a long-term relationship, not a one-night stand.” -Marsha Shandur Networking. The word alone probably conjures up some unpleasant associations. Probably a smarmy guy forcing his presence on you, insinuating himself into your conversation, thrusting a business card into your hand as he suggests, with a false smile, that you “do lunch.” Yuck. Networking shouldn’t be anything like that, … Read More

in Networking

5 Nontraditional Secrets of Killer Networking

March 11, 2015 by AJ Harbinger
Permalink to: "5 Nontraditional Secrets of Killer Networking"

We’ve been talking a lot here on the blog about networking in business and life (a word, as you guys know, that I’m not crazy about — but more on that in a moment). Marsha Shandur, a recent guest on the podcast, taught us how to reframe the dreaded networking event and break out of small-talk hell, while Yoni Dina … Read More

in Networking

Want to Build Your Network? First, Build Yourself

February 27, 2015 by Yoni Dina
Permalink to: "Want to Build Your Network? First, Build Yourself"

Networking. Putting aside the fact that the word makes me cringe — there’s just something smarmy and disingenuous about “working” to build genuine rapport — we all know that building a network is absolutely essential to being successful. I get it. I’ve definitely found that the “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” principle holds true in most … Read More

in Entrepreneurship, Networking