Instant Influence: How to Get What You Want in Any Business Situation (Dartnell audio) [AUDIOBOOK] (Audio Cassette)

by Robert Cialdini (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This powerful audiocassette program tells listeners how to ask for and receive approval, cooperation, and compliance in any business situation by learning how to harness the effective and ethical powers of instant influence. 2 cassettes.

From AudioFile
With natural enthusiasm and great clarity, the author presents his thinking about influencing people. Sales and influence in the business world are exceedingly hard work; sales people deserve all the information and positive strokes that can be packed onto a cassette. INSTANT INFLUENCE delivers on both counts by organizing its material logically, segmenting it with appropriate musical markers, and presenting the material in a voice that has obvious appreciation for the challenges of selling's daily grind. Cialdini's ideas deserve a place in everyone's thinking about influencing people, selling, negotiating, and maintaining honorable business relationships. T.W. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Dartnell Corp. (December 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0850132452
• ISBN-13: 978-0850132458
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,810,173 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, great, great. Very insightful, useful and compelling, July 1, 1998

By A Customer

A little simplistic at times (which is both good and bad), but absolutely right on target. I learned a ton that I have put to good use right away. It's even better on the second playing. A definite winner.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A copy for every employee-- especially SALES people., February 7, 1998

By	[e-mail] (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

Take the three-hundred odd pages of Cialdini's exceptional book "Influence" and distill them onto two cassettes that can be heard in total over two days on the way to work. Make certain that there are compelling stories and dialogue for each of his six principles of influence. And you have a tool that I have seen improve the performance of sales professionals and give them a deeper understanding of why people say "yes" and how to help them say "yes" MORE in an ethical and non-manipulative manner that will enhance their self concept as well as their income. Dean Minuto, Teligent Corporation, Training and Consulting

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Instant Influence for Instant Success!, June 12, 2005

By	Sachin Gaikwad "{ www.SachinOnline.com }" (Silicon Valley, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

We humans truly are of curious type! It is interesting how we respond to various stimulus's. Let me give you an example ... Lets say I want to sell my Digital Camera and lets say I tell you that it is worth $350 but I am ready to part it for $300. Probably, you will hesitate and won't buy from me. However, if I tell you that the camera is worth $1000 but I am selling it at 70% discount. I am sure you are more likely to buy it.

This is what "Instant Influence" is all about. It shows how we respond to different stimulus's and how we can harness those behaviours in a way that everyone is benefited.

Robert Cialdini provides some real life examples of how people are applying their understanding of human nature for influencing their customers, colleagues, friends, peers, strangers ... Here are some of the ideas that Robert Cialdini has presented in order to influence people around you ...

(1) Harness power of reciprocity. (e.g. Hare Krishna approach ... give flowers, books etc for free before asking for donations.)
(2) Harness power of scarcity. (e.g. Home buying ... a house/car gets quickly sold when multiple folks are vying for the same scarce resource.)
(3) Harness power of authority. (e.g. Doctor recommendations ... There are high chances that you will follow an recommendation provided by your Doctor rather than your Physical Therapist.)
(4) Harness power of commitment. (e.g. If someone commits to you in writing, it has more chances of follow through than just plain verbal commitment.)

Additional ideas that I liked ...

=> To influence "somebody", instead of influencing "somebody", influence the top 3 "Influencers" who strongly influence "somebody".
=> When you do something that the other is grateful for, instead of bungling that opportunity by saying "It is my job" etc, respond with ... "You would have done the same for me."

The one thing that I liked about this book is that it discourages dishonesty & manipulation. Although dishonesty & manipulation might generate instant benefits, but long term it is extremely toxic.

This is a nice book for folks who want to understand the power of influence! Surely read it if you get a chance ...

-Sachin