Labor & Employment Law

Interview with Guy Kawasaki on Enchanting Human Resources

Apple, Virgin America, 1965 Ford Mustang, and Mike Rowe. These are examples of Guy Kawasaki's idea of Enchantment. In his new book he sets out to help readers understand what enchantment is in order to strive to be enchanting. Some have called it an update of How To Win Friends And Influence People for 2011.

Here are the ideas that caused me to dog ear the pages they were on and stood out for me:

• To be likable, you need to find shared passions with others. To do this you need to do your homework, but it is easier today than ever to do so thanks to Google. Long gone are the days of reviewing back issues of newspapers to find out about people.
• On launching a successful venture: 'Perhaps [most presentations achieve] antienchantment, because people leave less intrigued than when they knew only rumors. Enchanting launches are more than press releases, data dumps, one-sided assertions, and boring sales pitches. They captivate people's interest and imagination by telling a compelling story.'
• Tell personal stories when conveying ideas. They do not need to be 'epic' stories.
• Marketing is turned upside down post-Internet - people depend on opinions of their friends and casual acquaintances more than 'experts.'
• Provide social proof. If everyone else sees other people doing it, then it must be ok.
• Find something you agree with an opponent with before entering into negotiations. Small talk can often establish items in common, which will help lead to a successful resolution.
• Embrace technology - especially social media.
• Tell recruits for a company that you want them, and repeat often - even when they are employees.
• Learn how to resist enchantment so that you are not enchanted by someone who does not have your best interest in mind.

It is also important to note about what is missing from the book: a chapter on price. As Guy puts it, 'It is not about the money.' The book is a good reminder for business owners, human resource managers, and employees alike about what it takes to be successful today. Guy explains in more detail about what it takes to be a successful HR manager or have a successful HR department in my interview with him (or click here to listen on iTunes).

Full post as published by California Labor & Employment Defense Blog on March 30, 2011 (boomark / email).