In this episode, we delve into the art of relationship building with Curtis Feeney, who is considered to be a master networker. Curtis discusses his success strategies for how to build and maintain relationships, including responsiveness, preparedness, and making thoughtful introductions. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding people's formative years, appreciating every individual you meet, and leveraging personal interactions to create meaningful relationships.He shares how he's applied these strategies throughout his impressive career, which spans roles at Harvard Business School, Trammell Crow Corporation, Stanford Management Company, and Voyager Capital. 0:00 - Introduction and Guest Background 1:33 - Formative Years and Early Influences 3:31 - Building Relationships and Networking 6:00 - Meeting Influential People 14:20 - Philosophy on Success and Relationships 19:47 - The Importance of Genuine Connections 19:58 - The Power of Remembering Names 20:25 - Understanding Different Perspectives 20:47 - Books That Shape Our Understanding 21:40 - Judging People Beyond Beliefs 22:26 - Key Strategies in Negotiation 23:52 - The Annual Barbecue Tradition 25:55 - The Value of Saying Yes 27:44 - Building Networks in New Places 29:36 - Lessons from Trammell Crow 32:11 - The Role of Responsiveness 35:59 - Advice for the Younger Generation Host Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years. #Negotiation #Curtis Feeny #Stan Christensen

In this episode, Stan speaks with Mark Gainey, a highly successful tech entrepreneur who has built two prominent companies, Kanna Software and Strava. Mark shares his journey from learning the art of persuasion and negotiating in the business world to managing a global fitness app with over 125 million users. We dive deep into the pivotal moments of his career, including his early experiences at TA Associates, his enduring partnership with co-founder Michael Horvath, and the critical decisions that shaped Strava's success. Gain insights into effective communication, raising venture capital, handling board conflicts, and internationally expanding a business. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, Mark's experiences and lessons are invaluable. 0:00 - Mastering the Art of Persuasion 0:25 - Introducing Mark Gainey: Tech Entrepreneur 1:19 - Early Career and Lessons Learned 1:51 - The Power of Cold Calling 4:21 - Meeting Co-Founder Michael Horvath 7:33 - Founding Kanna Software 9:35 - The Importance of Formal Agreements 12:14 - Pivoting to Success 17:00 - Starting Strava: A New Venture 18:50 - Building a Trusted Consumer Brand 20:30 - Strava's Unique Customer Stories 22:10 - Effective Communication with Co-Founders 26:16 - Raising Capital for Strava 28:46 - Navigating the Negotiation Process 29:43 - The Importance of Choosing the Right Partners 30:43 - Series B Funding and Unique Challenges 32:52 - Aligning Interests with Investors 37:28 - Board Conflicts and Leadership Changes 40:54 - Strava's Financial Turnaround and Paywall Strategy 52:31 - International Expansion and Cultural Nuances 56:33 - Book Recommendations and Final Thoughts Host Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years. #Negotiation #markgainey #winning

In this episode of All Things Negotiation, Stan Christensen interviews Sam Yagan, a serial entrepreneur known for co-founding SparkNotes and OKCupid. The discussion explores the ubiquitous nature of negotiation in entrepreneurship, covering topics such as raising capital, managing co-founder relationships, negotiating acquisitions, dealing with unexpected legal challenges, and strategic decision-making within large organizations. Yagan shares personal stories and lessons learned from his journey, including a high-stakes negotiation during SparkNotes, the complex dynamics in running Match.com, and the significant decisions around the development of Tinder. Key insights include the importance of having credible alternatives, aligning interests with investors, and understanding both short-term and long-term implications of business strategies.

0:00 - Introduction to Negotiation in Everyday Life

0:27 - Meet Sam Yagen: Entrepreneurial Journey

1:16 - Early Days and Co-Founder Negotiations

2:37 - The SparkNotes Firing Incident

3:30 - Lessons from Legal Missteps

6:18 - E Donkey: Navigating Legal Ambiguities

9:24 - Facing the Music Industry Giants

11:13 - Testifying Before Congress

14:17 - The Birth of iTunes and Industry Transformation

16:58 - Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

20:11 - Fundraising for OKCupid

24:41 - Aligning Interests with Investors

30:58 - Evaluating Character in Tough Situations

31:25 - Navigating M&A: Lessons from OkCupid's Sale

33:29 - The Art of Negotiation: Securing the Best Deal

43:12 - Transitioning from Startup to Corporate Leadership

44:00 - Internal Negotiations and Leadership Challenges

46:37 - Strategic Decisions: Mobile Apps and Market Leadership

50:41 - Tinder's Impact and Overcoming Resistance

54:36 - Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts

Host Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years. #Negotiation #Samyagan #entrepreneurship