Chapter 56 Marketing Yourself and Attracting Influential People.
In late 1961 Brian Epstein went down to a stuffy little pub in Liverpool and discovered 4 scruffy boys named John, Paul, George and Ringo. Days later he drew up a contract to manage them commercially. The rest is history. The Beatles became the most famous and influential singing group of all time. They gave us hundreds of songs, as distinctive and diversified as Help and Yesterday. Sean Connery, who played James Bond in many movies had earlier caught the eyes of Walt Disney, who took him to the U.S. to do a film. In that movie he was seen by producers Saltzman and Broccoli who called him to an interview. They later recounted: ‘We watched him bound across the street like a superman, we knew we had our Bond.’ Andrew Lloyd Webber brought us Phantom of the Opera, and other great musicals He revealed that his parents were his greatest influence, he grew up surrounded by music!
There are many examples of stars who were discovered by influential men, who helped them towards success. Can you recall the 2 guys in Chapter 50, who prospered after attending on Mr Charles Schwab and Mr Andrew Carnegies mother? Many if not most, of those who achieved success had helped or impressed someone along the way, an associate or employer, a mentor, promoter or benefactor. If it is someone in a position of commercial influence or political power, the climb is even quicker. I have seen several rapid rises in my time. There have been many cases of initiative and hard work being generously rewarded. Isnt this plain justice? There were also instances of help given to someone who later came into a fortune, the kindness was repaid tenfold! Entrepreneurs like Mr Carnegie made dozens of his common workers millionaires. He was matched later by hundreds of others, like Bill Gates of Microsoft in recent years, who brought hundreds of his ordinary computer technicians into the millionaire club.
Now that you have built your charisma, you can sell your knowledge and skills, and attract influential people to help you towards success. You can also share other peoples ideas, talents and resources in a co-operative way, with mutual benefits. Later, I will impart to you the power of synergy; two persons often accomplish more together than they would separately. It is often said: The sum is more than the total of all the parts. Besides human co-operation, our lives are very much a selling process. Everyday we are selling our abilities, services and products. In selling your talents and skills you must, however, do so tactfully, dont be seen pushing and parading them. Above all, in seeking recognition and help you must be prepared to work for your rewards, to give before you receive. Remember these good points:
1. Your character, virtues, image and conduct must deserve esteem and affection. Re-read those chapters on these again.
2. Give excellent performance. Use your talents, special knowledge and skills. A persons expertise or great idea soon receives someones financial backing and ends up in tremendous success.
3. Go the extra mile. In doing so, you produce more, and further strengthen your positive attitude, enthusiasm, drive and sense of achievement. You gain momentum and your winnings will multiply. Nothing succeeds like success! There is a kind of magical power in the person who gives extra, and does everything well. He is wanted everywhere, and is rightly and lavishly rewarded in the end.
4. Master communication. Convey your ideas, knowledge and proposals beautifully. Be articulate and convincing. especially along the line of politeness.
Focus your energy on selected people and goals. Do not waste time on too many social functions, arrange vital and fruitful discussions with associates instead. Please dont apple-polish, you may lose the respect of the very people you want to impress. Just be kind and obliging, all the way. Goethe said, „A noble person attracts noble people, and knows how to hold on to them.
The great scholar B. Gracian taught us: „There is active and passive sympathy, and both kinds work wonders among people in high positions...No amount of effort can take the place of this mysterious favour. Few men can attain a high degree of lasting success without the support and inspiration of others. One of our greatest assets is our ability to serve and maximise our value to society, and to gain recognition, assistance and blessings from others; only then can we enrich both ourselves and others.