Customer Reviews

Persuasion: The Art of Getting What You Want

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

It's very bothersome to write a review that is going to largely be positive ...when that book directly competes with your own...for sales!

Former cult member, Lakhani starts with the dark side of persuasion then quickly moves into distinguishing the difference between manipulation and persuasion. Best is his step by step guide to manipulation. Very well done!

Many in the field of persuasion miss the crucial art of story. Lakhani does a nice job of giving his insights into one of the most difficult tasks a communicator has...to have a story persuade.

The next thing I like in Art of Persuasion is Dave's outline of how to become an expert (guru) in 30 days. Expert status ==> credibility ==> more successful influence.

Another nice step by step outline is for changing beliefs. Easy to adopt and use.

Each chapter in the book is well thought out and presented concisely and with clarity.

This is an excellent primer on the art of persuasion and I recommend you pick it up today.

Kevin Hogan
Author of The Psychology of Persuasion
and
The Science of Influence

Dave's books are thin on content and usually artificially inflated.

I like Dave for many things especially his vigor in exploring dimensions of marketing and persuasion. But these 2 books have very litte insightful content.

It looks like they have been written in a flurry,with a belief,that 'anyone' can write a book,even if they have very little of 'original insight' to share.

I am sure Dave has great insights to share.But they don't come out in either of his 2 books (Persuasion, Power of hour).I guess book writing requires much more time and effort.Its a long term project.And these books seem to have been written in a very short time.

Also it's hard to believe Reviews of Dave,because he always gives 5 star reviews to his fellow marketeers, who in turn return the favor.(Like Ken Hogan)This is something Dave Liebermann also does. Especially his recent books, are a lot of hype with very little real content.

As a recent trend,many marketeers in America have started doing 'artificial hype' of their books on Amazon. This gives a biased possitive view of the book.It may or maynot be justified.But what is missing is that the real readers voice (neutral and unincentivized) is getting buried.

I wish this trend can stop and the marketeers can trust the discretion of the readers and pay more attention in working on the quality of the book.

I am sure some of the same marketeers have great insights to share. Its just not coming out in their books because of rapid fire techniques of writing books they are employing. It may make money for them but in the long run,their books will be found to be very light on content.

I am sure good authors would like to take a different approach.

If we want to be more effective in almost any area of our lives - whether as a leader, team mate, coach, marketer, or parent, being more persuasive can help us be more successful. For this reason I have become a student of persuasion and influence in the past few years.

This book is one of my new favorites in this topic area.

It talks about persuasion not from a theoretical perspective but from a real-life, "here's what you can do" perspective. There are three chapters in particular that lead me to recommend this book so strongly.

1. The first two chapters contrast manipulation from persuasion are very insightful and helpful to you as you consider the motives and intentions that you might have in a persuading situation. In my experience many people feel that if they work on becoming more persuasive in any sort of systematic way, that they will become manipulative. These two chapters will help you think that distinction through for yourself.
2. The chapter on the persuasion formula. By the time you get to this chapter none of the components of his formula will surprise you, but a formula is always helpful way to summarize things in our head (no, I'm not going to tell you what it is).

If you are drawn at all to the topic of persuasion, I highly recommend reading this book. It is well written, easy to read, and my copy already has marks and comments throughout - a good sign that it will be well used part of my library for a long time to come.

This book is a self-hurt book wearing self-help clothing. The techniques this guy proposes are 3rd rate. If you use these ham-handed techniques, you'll be the stereotypical overgroomed, oversmiling, overhappy, over the top stereotype that everyone's radar picks up instantly.
He gives useful tips like "Change your shirt twice a day, so you look polished." "Get a stylish haircut". "Make eye contact".
I laughed as i listened to this audiobook. It sounds like a Steve Martin skit "Training the failure to be loved by everyone."
The core problem: there is no subtlety to these techniques. Each one is focused on the reader "taking control" of each situation. The problem is, the people you're trying to take control of aren't as stupid as this guy portrays. It's implied that 'taking control' is always the best option.
I've found it's not.
For instance, take this line in the chapter "Establishing Familiarity". "When meeting people, become friendly with them. Find something you have in common, then refer to it often. In this way, they will like you, because they like the object or person you are referring to. BUT, beware.
Don't get TOO familiar with them, because they may use that familiarity against you. You need to retain control at all times, and make sure that the outcome is controlled by you."
Every transaction with another human is a zero sum game. There is a winner, there is a loser. Even when Lakhani labels it "win/win", it's really "win/lose".

So, if that's what you're looking for, and you actually know people that this clumsy, stumbling beginner's tactic will work on, then buy it.

This book is the sales manual from "Glen Gary Glen Ross' or "Boilerroom".

In the 1st chapter the author goes out of his way to define the difference between "manipulation" and "persuasion". If the editor dropped the 1st chapter and titled the book "Manipulation", the title would be accurate. In true sales form, the author tackles the main objections at the start of the pitch, and then moves on to make the close.
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I've read a few books in this genre. Here's the two that worked best for me.
1) Influence by Robert Caldini
2) How to talk to anyone by Leil Lowndes. (i listened to the audiobook, and really liked that delivery format. )

I heard about this book through a friend.

Even though I've read most of what has been written on the subject, I trusted my friend and bought the book. (one of the persuasion techniques taught in this book).

Lakhani's approach to the subject is different that others I've read. His background as a cult escapee turned ultra successful businessman makes for a compelling story. I think it aids him in explaining the difference between using persuasion to influence vs. manipulate others.

I found myself scribbling notes throughout the book. Picking up some new tips and reviewing the important basics of the field.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in how one person gets another to do anything.

Warren Whitlock, thescienceofinfluence.com

This is my first review, I never write them, but this book impacted me in a way that compelled me to say something.

I actually got to hear Dave speak last night at the local Barnes and Noble and I have to say, I left with my head spinning when I realized exactly how persuasion happened and how easily people are persuaded.

I realize that virtually everything is persuasion . . . and that there really is a difference between persuasion and manipulation which Dave makes really clear in the book. As a point of demonstration in the book, he actually shows you precisely how to manipulate another person. At first I wished he'd have left that out of the book but I quickly realized that it would actually protect me from falling victim if I was more quickly able to identify manipulation attempts.

I went to the author's signing at the store because I'd already read the book, but it is so powerful that I just ordered three more, one for each of my sisters. Seeing Dave in person let me see just how persuasive someone can be in person and reading the book made me rethink how I'll write to my clients in the future.

This book is powerful, I'll definately be able to sell more in my business by understanding the persuasion equation and the six tenants of persusion.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand persuasion or understand how to persuade better. This is the best book I've read in a very long time.

I have not met Dave Lakhani, but after reading this book and his earlier one - Power of An Hour: Business and Life Mastery in One Hour A Week - he is evidently a very clear thinking and pragmatic individual.

I have read a great many books on influencing and persuading, and this is one of the very best.

A survivor of a cult, Dave is well equipped to understand what can happen when people manipulate for his or her own ends. He has seen all the tricks, and knows the difference between manipulation and ethical persuasion.

None of us likes to be manipulated but to be persuaded is quite another matter. If someone is able to persuade me to take a new action, I want to learn how he or she did it!

It is extremely easy to apply the principles in the book, and he boils his approach down into six tenets of persuasion:
1. Outcome based
2. Best-interest focused
3. Truthful
4. Goal and time oriented
5. Personal
6. Ethical.

He expands on and explains each of these with well-chosen examples.

The book is attractively produced with a "Review" and "Success Questions" at the end of each chapter.

Dave has persuaded me that he has found a number of useful ways of influencing people without manipulating them and at the same time remaining ethical and above board.

For anyone who needs to persuade and influence other people this book is excellent. It also offers you a crash course in how to avoid being manipulated by others.

Highly recommended.



Richard G. Petty, MD, author of Healing, Meaning and Purpose: The Magical Power of the Emerging Laws of Lifee

It's easy to look at this book, see it sitting in the business section of the store, and assume that's what it's for. Well, after reading Persuasion, I have added it to my list of absolute must-read business books, but let's face it, we all must persuade others and this book shows you the nuts & bolts of how to do that as well as the practical theory behind it all.

Dave Lakhani does an outstanding job of covering all the bases here, from the basics (including the fundamentals that are frequently overlooked) to advanced persuasion tactics. He differentiates between manipulation and persuasion, explains how they are different, and also covers manipulation both so that you do not become a victim of it yourself, and to make sure you are not unknowingly doing it to others.

Deeper into the book you will find step-by-step instructions on how to become a recongnized expert and authority in your field. I especially loved how practical this is, and effective for anyone who will follow the steps to achieve 'guru' status in your field of endeavor. I tell my clients that 'guru' status is the fastest possible way to become a huge success in business and here you will learn how to do that.

We all persuade. Whether you are in business, in politics, a teacher, a parent, or just a friend, persuasion is a necessary life skill and here you will find the complete guide to it.

I've been in sales for many years now and I've seen a thousand sales trainers and sales "systems" come and go. This book is different.



This book is better than Cialdini's or Hogan's because it demonstrates exactly how to use the processes person to person, in writing, electronically and in the media. This is step by step instruction in a format that is easy to understand, but most importantly, apply.



What I like about this book is that while it is framed as a sales book, it teaches fundamental persuasion skills that I'll be using not just in a sales role but in my everyday life. Anyone who has to persuade another person to do anything will find this book instantly valuable. It is easy to read and well laid out. I especially like the end of chapter review and action steps.



The author does an exceptional job of really demonstrating what happens to us psychologically, biologically and physiologically when we are persuaded. Once I realized what was happening, I realized how truly powerful the tactics that virtually anyone can apply are, they encourage people to respond without even thinking. You learn how to bypass the walls that people put up to keep from being "sold to" and are able to deliver your relevant, ethical and appropriate message right where they live.



This is powerful stuff.

Patty Trent

As a CEO and a professional marketer for over 15 years,in 165 different industries; generating over 1.2 billion dollars in new sales, I have finally come across a book that redefines how professional marketers and business owners should be building their marketing programs. Each and every marketing activity whether it is advertising, direct response, PR etc. should be using the principles outlined in this book. Dave Lakhani cuts through all noise and delivers a hard hitting, power packed book that is loaded with so many diamonds, you must make this book one of your major TOOLS in your marketing arsenal. This is a book to STUDY as one can tell that Dave Lakhani has made the essence of persuasion an artform, and one not to be taken lightly. If you want to clearly learn how to gain the true competitive advantage for your business, I highly recommend you take the time to study the principles of persuaion and then go apply it.