James Orsini’s Post

35 years ago, I got some business advice that I could not decode at the time. All these years later, I find myself still thinking about it.

For a while now, I’ve been pushing kindness more heavily than anything else. For me, it’s a crucial part of the legacy I’m building. I want to build big businesses and buy the Jets, but I want to do it by being a good guy. I have zero interest in building the biggest building by tearing other people down.   The problem is that some people see kindness as a weakness. They confuse it with being passive or being a pushover. The truth is, people who view kindness as a negative are just insecure themselves. You can only be kind if you feel that you’re coming from a place of leverage.   That’s why I see kindness as a massive advantage, not a passive trait — especially if you’re a naturally “tough” person.   As I go through my own life, I’m realizing more and more how kindness is such a big part of the equation. It’s not just about sales and negotiation. It’s not just about doing what you love. That’s why It breaks my heart that so many people think “nice guys finish last.” People don’t get that kindness is the best business strategy.

About 4 years ago I had a 15 minute call with Gary Vaynerchuk. The call cost a small fortune and on that call he only answered two questions for me…. and when he did I thought… money well spent. The first was around #marketing. Our marketing manager had these beautifully planned out social media posts, carefully aligned around different events and activities. Then dickhead here would just rock up with his idea of the day and then post that. We didn’t know which was the right direction… carefully planned or ad hoc. Gary said… “Why does it have to be ‘or’, why can’t it be ‘and’?” And that was it… both #strategies ran in tandem from that point. The next question was whether I should sell #GoProposal or not and whether now was the right time. We were at £1m in revenue and had an idea as to what the multiple could be. He said… “I know what you think I’m going to say… which is to hustle and get it to £10m revenue… or £50m… and then sell it. But I’m not. Sell it now. Secure the level you’re at. Then go again.” So I did. Within weeks of that call we went to market, and within 8 months had sold to a blue-chip, FTSE100 company for an 8-figure sum. That 15 minute call cost me thousands. I only got two questions answered. But the impact of those answers changed my life because of what happened next. Never begrudge paying a lot, from someone truly in the know. It could be your fastest way forward, saving you years of effort and frustration. Just one call… one answer… could change everything. What question would you want answering? PS check out his latest book #DayTradingAttention… it’s mint. Link in the comments.