In this episode, Stan speaks with Mark Gainey, a highly successful tech entrepreneur who has built two prominent companies, Kanna Software and Strava. Mark shares his journey from learning the art of persuasion and negotiating in the business world to managing a global fitness app with over 125 million users. We dive deep into the pivotal moments of his career, including his early experiences at TA Associates, his enduring partnership with co-founder Michael Horvath, and the critical decisions that shaped Strava's success. Gain insights into effective communication, raising venture capital, handling board conflicts, and internationally expanding a business. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, Mark's experiences and lessons are invaluable. 0:00 - Mastering the Art of Persuasion 0:25 - Introducing Mark Gainey: Tech Entrepreneur 1:19 - Early Career and Lessons Learned 1:51 - The Power of Cold Calling 4:21 - Meeting Co-Founder Michael Horvath 7:33 - Founding Kanna Software 9:35 - The Importance of Formal Agreements 12:14 - Pivoting to Success 17:00 - Starting Strava: A New Venture 18:50 - Building a Trusted Consumer Brand 20:30 - Strava's Unique Customer Stories 22:10 - Effective Communication with Co-Founders 26:16 - Raising Capital for Strava 28:46 - Navigating the Negotiation Process 29:43 - The Importance of Choosing the Right Partners 30:43 - Series B Funding and Unique Challenges 32:52 - Aligning Interests with Investors 37:28 - Board Conflicts and Leadership Changes 40:54 - Strava's Financial Turnaround and Paywall Strategy 52:31 - International Expansion and Cultural Nuances 56:33 - Book Recommendations and Final Thoughts Host Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years. #Negotiation #markgainey #winning

In this episode of All Things Negotiation, Stan Christensen interviews Sam Yagan, a serial entrepreneur known for co-founding SparkNotes and OKCupid. The discussion explores the ubiquitous nature of negotiation in entrepreneurship, covering topics such as raising capital, managing co-founder relationships, negotiating acquisitions, dealing with unexpected legal challenges, and strategic decision-making within large organizations. Yagan shares personal stories and lessons learned from his journey, including a high-stakes negotiation during SparkNotes, the complex dynamics in running Match.com, and the significant decisions around the development of Tinder. Key insights include the importance of having credible alternatives, aligning interests with investors, and understanding both short-term and long-term implications of business strategies.

0:00 - Introduction to Negotiation in Everyday Life

0:27 - Meet Sam Yagen: Entrepreneurial Journey

1:16 - Early Days and Co-Founder Negotiations

2:37 - The SparkNotes Firing Incident

3:30 - Lessons from Legal Missteps

6:18 - E Donkey: Navigating Legal Ambiguities

9:24 - Facing the Music Industry Giants

11:13 - Testifying Before Congress

14:17 - The Birth of iTunes and Industry Transformation

16:58 - Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

20:11 - Fundraising for OKCupid

24:41 - Aligning Interests with Investors

30:58 - Evaluating Character in Tough Situations

31:25 - Navigating M&A: Lessons from OkCupid's Sale

33:29 - The Art of Negotiation: Securing the Best Deal

43:12 - Transitioning from Startup to Corporate Leadership

44:00 - Internal Negotiations and Leadership Challenges

46:37 - Strategic Decisions: Mobile Apps and Market Leadership

50:41 - Tinder's Impact and Overcoming Resistance

54:36 - Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts

Host Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years. #Negotiation #Samyagan #entrepreneurship

In this episode of All Things Negotiation, host Stan Christensen interviews Steven A. Cook, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations specializing in Middle Eastern and African Studies. They discuss the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the roles of extremists on both sides in undermining peace efforts and covering the history that has led to this current moment. The conversation covers the influence of third parties like China and Russia in the Middle East, American influence on Israeli policies, and the potential consequences of Israel's actions post-October 7th. The discussion also touches on broader U.S. foreign policy issues, the rise of Iranian influence through Hezbollah, and the challenges of maintaining American strategic interests amidst internal political divisions.

Check out Steven's Book: The End of Ambition

00:00 - Introduction: Extremists and Moderates

00:35 - Guest Introduction: Stephen Cook

02:02 - Historical Context: US-Israel Relations

04:24 - The Oslo Accords and Their Aftermath

06:39 - The Second Intifada and Its Consequences

09:16 - Current State of Israeli-Palestinian Relations

16:22 - US Influence and Policy Challenges

28:48 - Iran and Hezbollah: Regional Dynamics

31:57 - US Foreign Policy: Continuity and Change

36:35 - Conclusion: The Future of US Involvement in the Middle East