Episodes

  • Daragh Murphy: Unicorn CEO Reveals Enterprise Sales Playbook
    Mar 12 2025

    In this episode, we sit down with Daragh Murphy, co-founder of Imprint, a leading fintech company in the co-branded credit card space. Daragh shares his journey from being an Irish immigrant to achieving $100 million in revenue in just fouryears. We delve into his background in law and management consulting, discussing how these experiences have shaped his approach to negotiation and entrepreneurship. Dara reveals insights into the challenges of enterprise sales, the importance of building trust, managing internal frictions, and the nuances of fundraising. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business leader, Daragh's stories and strategies will provide valuable lessons on navigating the complex landscape of startups and scaling a successfulenterprise.


    Daragh Recommends: https://www.amazon.com/Who-Michael-Ovitz/dp/1591845548

    00:55 Daragh Murphy's Background and Journey to the US

    02:18 Transition from Law to Entrepreneurship

    08:11 Founding Imprint During the Pandemic

    12:32 Imprint's Business Model and Success

    14:15 Challenges and Strategies in Enterprise Sales

    30:53 Maintaining Momentum in Long Sales Cycles

    31:47 Addressing Gender Dynamics in Sales

    32:44 Handling Client Concerns and Building Trust

    33:35 Strategies for Selling to Large Enterprises

    37:39 Internal Operations and Reducing Friction

    41:02 Hiring and Values Alignment

    46:10 Persuading Senior Talent to Join a Startup

    51:25 Dealing with Employee Compensation and Retention

    54:21 Fundraising and Negotiating with Investors

    60:00 Quickfire Questions and FinalThoughts

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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Paul Salem: How Persistence Wins in Private Equity
    Mar 5 2025

    Stan is joined by Paul Salem, a co-managing partner of one of the most successful private equity firms, Providence Equity. Paul shares his early struggles of job hunting on Wall Street, the persistence that landed him an initial gig at Prudential, and his fascinating career journey through various highs and lows. He details his work in private equity deals, the aggressive moves that paid off, and some that didn’t. Paul also talks about his impactful post-Providence career in nonprofits, including his role at the Woods Hole Institute. Learn about the critical negotiation skills that played pivotal roles throughout his career and get inspired by his relentless drive and optimism.


    Watch Paul's Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/paul_salem_luck


    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 #paulsalem #Stan Christensen

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Adam Segal: Cybersecurity and Global Diplomacy
    Feb 27 2025

    In this episode, Stan is joined by Adam Segal, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, to discuss cybersecurity, cyber warfare, and US-China relations. They explore the complexities of negotiating over cyber activities, the fragmented state of the global internet, and the economic and strategic implications of cyberattacks. Adam also provides insights into the military comparison between the US and China, the potential for conflict over Taiwan, and the importance of ongoing diplomatic dialogue. Listen to delve into these pressing issues and understand the nuanced dynamics of international cybersecurity and military strategy.

    Read Adam's Report: https://www.cfr.org/task-force-report/confronting-reality-in-cyberspace

    00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview

    01:10 The Internet's Broken Promise

    02:58 Diplomacy in Cyberspace

    03:59 China's Cyber Exploits

    04:51 Understanding Cyber Attacks

    08:23 Negotiating Cyber Norms

    13:39 Defending Forward: U.S. Cyber Strategy

    18:17 China-U.S. Cyber Relations

    21:27 Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity

    26:02 Military Strength and Strategic Ambiguity

    32:51 Escalation and De-escalation Strategies

    34:38 Conclusion 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.

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    33 mins
  • Guy Kawasaki: Stories From a Silicon Valley Legend
    Feb 19 2025

    In this podcast episode, Stan interviews Guy Kawasaki, the legendary marketer and chief evangelist at Canva. Kawasaki shares his valuable experiences from working with Steve Jobs at Apple, emphasizing lessons in trustworthiness, persuasion, and negotiation. Highlights include captivating stories from his early career at Apple and insights into negotiating with large and small developers, as well as reflections on the negotiation styles of Steve Jobs and Elon Musk. Guy also discusses the importance of listening, having a growth mindset, and resilience, while offering actionable tips on negotiation strategies. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in mastering the art of negotiation and persuasion.

    Check out Guy's Podcast here: https://guykawasaki.com/remarkable-people/

    00:00 Introduction to Negotiation Insights00:24 Guy Kawasaki's Early Career and Apple Days00:46 The Importance of Trust and Listening03:41 Lessons from the Jewelry Business06:09 Evangelism at Apple07:27 Steve Jobs' Unique Leadership Style11:43 Comparing Steve Jobs and Elon Musk13:24 Melanie Perkins and Canva's Success15:41 Challenges with Developer Relations at Apple19:19 Negotiation with Digital Research21:55 Valuable Lessons in Negotiation22:32 Evangelizing the Macintosh25:51 The Power of Listening in Negotiation28:22 Embracing a Growth Mindset30:19 The Importance of Grit and Resilience33:45 The Art of Saying Yes39:35 Building Trust and Persuasion41:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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    41 mins
  • Scott Brown: How to Negotiate With Your Kids
    Feb 4 2025

    In this episode, Stan interviews Scott Brown, co-founder of the Harvard Negotiation Project, about the complex art of negotiating with children. The conversation delves into practical strategies for negotiating with kids of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers to adult children. Scott shares personal anecdotes and professional insights, drawing from his extensive career in conflict resolution and parenting. Topics include managing your own emotions, setting clear rules, handling power struggles, sibling rivalry, and the evolving dynamics as children grow older. Whether you're a parent looking to improve your negotiating skills or just curious about the intersection of negotiation and parenting, this discussion offers valuable lessons and heartfelt advice. Get Scott's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Negotiate-Kids-Even-Think-Shouldnt/dp/0670031828 00:00 Introduction to Negotiation with Scott Brown 00:21 Scott Brown's Career and Background 01:00 International Conflict Resolution Experiences 05:17 Negotiating with Children: An Overview 18:54 The Importance of Emotional Management in Parenting 23:36 Balancing Discipline and Punishment 29:04 Consistency in Parenting Rules 30:25 The Power of Apologizing 31:01 Effective Listening Strategies 32:55 Warm and Expressive Parenting 36:21 Changing Gender Roles in Parenting 38:41 Negotiating with Teenagers 40:19 Managing Screen Time and Social Media 42:02 Transitioning to Adult Child Relationships 47:57 Handling Power Struggles with Young Kids 49:59 Dealing with Sibling Rivalry 54:48 Parenting as a Negotiation 55:55 The Importance of Parent-Child Relationships #Negotiation #scottbrown #stanchristensen

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    58 mins
  • Tien Tzuo, CEO of Zuora: A Negotiation Journey From Tech Founder to Public Company CEO.
    Jan 21 2025

    In this episode, Stan talks with Tien Tzuo, the CEO of Zuora, to discover the power of negotiations in both tech startups and public companies. Tien shares his journey from being an early employee at Salesforce to founding and growing Zuora into a public company. The discussion covers a wide range of topics including negotiating with employees, investors, and within organizational structures. Tien highlights the importance of understanding the other party's needs, internal team alignment, handling conflict, and maintaining a larger vision. He also discusses the transition from running a private company to a public one, and his current experience with Zuora. Tien's insights are invaluable for entrepreneurs, managers, and anyone looking to improve their negotiation skills. Tune in to learn about the nuances of negotiations and leadership from a seasoned Silicon Valley executive.


    00:00 Introduction to Negotiation Types

    00:27 Guest Introduction: Teen, CEO of Zuora

    01:04 Early Career and Sales Experience

    03:14 Lessons from Salesforce and Starting Zuora

    05:51 Scaling a Company: From Startup to Public

    11:03 Navigating Organizational Change

    17:22 Conflict Resolution and Team Dynamics

    22:21 Hiring, Firing, and Employee Negotiations

    26:44 Transitioning to a Public Company

    27:07 Understanding the Investor's Perspective

    28:44 Simplifying the Message for Public Investors

    29:56 Transitioning from Public to Private

    31:19 Raising Capital: Stories and Strategies

    37:21 The Importance of Internal Negotiations

    48:15 Lessons from Personal Negotiations

    49:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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    50 mins
  • Reed Galen: Lesson's From Trump's Election Win
    Jan 7 2025

    In this episode Stan talks with political expert Reed Galen, who has held senior roles in notable Republican campaigns and is a co-founder of the Lincoln Project. Galen is also podcast host for The Home Front. We explore Trump’s unique approach to negotiation, the Democratic Party's challenges in reaching voters, and what both parties can learn from past campaigns. Reed shares his analysis of Trump’s recent victory over Kamala Harris, the importance of proactive messaging, and how Democrats can better align with cultural values. This episode offers a comprehensive understanding of political strategy, negotiation, and the current state of American politics.

    Check out Reed's Podcast here: https://apple.co/4jgBTKq

    Check out Ree'ds Substack Here: https://bit.ly/4gIPgBp

    00:00 Trump's Early Realizations and Motivations 00:31 Introducing Reed Galen: Political Expert 01:23 Analyzing the 2024 Election: Trump vs. Harris 03:38 The Republican Communication Strategy 06:30 Democratic Party's Cultural Disconnect 09:36 Internal Democratic Politics and Candidate Selection 29:39 Trump's Dominance and Negotiation Style 33:51 Reflecting on Washington DC and Political Dynamics 34:49 The Republican Senate's Stance on Trump 36:16 Trump's Authoritarian Tactics and Internal Conflicts 38:01 Democratic Strategies and Challenges 40:21 The Need for Democratic Leadership and Proactive Messaging 45:24 Economic and Cultural Impacts of Trump's Policies 49:32 Bridging the Political Divide and Community Engagement 53:54 The Role of Social Media in Political Discourse 58:08 Conclusion and Future Directions 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 #ReedGalen #StanChristensen

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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Michael Stoppelman: Managing at a Hyper-Growth Startup
    Dec 17 2024

    In this episode, we delve into the professional journey of Michael Stoppelman, who transitioned from Google to Yelp and then to angel investing. Learn about his experiences starting at Google pre-IPO, growing Yelp's engineering team from 6 to 500, and managing complex engineering and product management dynamics. Michael shares his insights on negotiation in hiring, team management, and balancing constraints in startups. He gives valuable advice for entrepreneurs and engineers on building teams, handling conflicts, and navigating career transitions. 00:00 Introduction to Michael Stoppelman 01:24 Early Days at Google 07:29 Transition to Yelp 10:00 Building and Managing Engineering Teams 14:08 Handling Conflicts and Negotiations 21:56 Compensation and Titles 28:16 Angel Investing Insights 33:15 Advice for Aspiring Engineers 35:17 Conclusion 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 #Stan Christensen

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    36 mins