Is Donald Trump a bully or a skilled negotiator?

by George Pastidis

I don’t want to talk politics. I want to talk negotiations. I want to talk about and have a close look at Donald Trump’s negotiation skills. Last weekend, I had the luck to read the brilliant analysis https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/donald-trumps-negotiating-profile-its-consequences-us-dimarakis?trk=prof-post of Yannis Dimarakis, a professional trainer that specializes on Negotiation Skills and I shared his gem with some friends and colleagues that I knew they would see value in this. There I had the luxury to get the feedback of Jack Williams, another excellent negotiations professional trainer and consultant. Two different angles, two different perspectives that I would not dare to criticize. I will only try to put together and give you the chance to see two different views, equally powerful read more…

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This is why I supported the initiative to kick off a Toastmasters Club in Ericsson France

by George Pastidis

The fear of public speaking is one of the very top phobias. I read the other day that 70% of employed Americans that give presentations, say that presentation skills are critical for career success and 20% of them say that they would do anything to avoid giving a presentation. They could pretend they are sick or have a colleague do it, even if that means “losing respect” in their workplace read more…

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Summer is here and we are ready for holidays. Are we?

I wrote this piece two years ago…but once again the timing is right and it is worth to reblog the post. Have lovely vacation and come back with your batteries recharged!!

Admin's avatarGeorge Pastidis

Having a first, quick view of things, we could reply: Ready!

It is very possible that we had a fabulous first half and we are on target. July is probably not the best month to go after customers. After all, customers had a rough first half too and we all deserve to chill out a little. Some of them are already on holidays and we make our summer plans too, being in a big dilemma among Sardinia, Corsica and Santorini. Only 3 weeks left and August will come and we will hit the road!! read more…

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Are you planning to host a business event?

by George Pastidis

The weather is nice, daylight lasts long, customers count days or weeks before their vacation and they all are in a pretty good mood. Perhaps it is the right time for a business event. A business event that takes an investment by you and your company, money, effort, energy and time wise. It would be really a pity not to maximize the return on such investment. But in order to achieve that, you need three things: Planning, Planning and Planning. read more…

Got a huge luggage full of brilliant stuff

by George Pastidis

It is Tuesday, 7 June, 19:35 and I am in Eurostar train, heading back home to Paris. I am dead meat. I had to wake up at 0400 in the morning for making the Annual Sales Conference, hosted by Association of Professional Sales, in London, a major event in the UK with more than 500 attendees. I usually travel light. Especially when I have day trips like this one. But today I have a huge luggage full of brilliant stuff. Full of information, knowledge and break through ideas about sales learning. read more…

Real Skills for Virtual Presentations

by George Pastidis

Few years ago, whenever I would feel like meeting with or presenting to a customer, I would head to the airport, texting my manager on the way to. Things are changing though. Technology evolves, money shrinks, travel is limited. Now, many companies are shifting their internal and external meetings, presentations, trainings, conferences to virtual formats. read more…