Entries by Brian Ahearn, CMCT®

Acquiring Happiness

I’ll ask for forgiveness upfront because this post isn’t about the science influence. It’s about an exploration of feelings which do influence our choices but this is based solely on a recent experience of mine. Our daughter, Abigail, got her temporary driver’s permit in early August and will get her driver’s license in December. The […]

Influence Tips for Running a Restaurant – Part 4

This is the final post in what turned out to be a four-part series on ways restaurants can ethically engage customers using the principles of influence to create win-win situations. If you’re a server at a restaurant, pay close attention—what I’m about to share is something you’ll want to avoid. Customers often ask about different […]

Coaches Aren’t Just for Athletes

I was invited by Mike Figliuolo to write a guest post for his blog, thoughtLEADERS, this week. Mike’s written several guest posts for Influence PEOPLE so I’m always happy to return the favor (reciprocity). The article focuses on the need for coaching to maximize each individual’s performance in the business environment. I hope you enjoy […]

The Role of Influence in the Markets

I’m willing to bet the majority of you reading this week’s post have seen the 1940s Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life which starred Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey. You know the story; George Bailey contemplates suicide on Christmas Eve because his building and loan business looks like it’s going to go under and he […]

Influence Tips for Running a Restaurant – Part 3

Welcome to the third part of this series, directed at those working in the restaurant industry. I believe that applying the principles of influence in an ethical manner can create a win-win-win scenario for restaurants, waitstaff, and customers alike. A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about a way for servers to increase their tips. […]

Consistency in American Politics

I know conventional wisdom says we should not talk about sex, religion or politics but I’m going to go against that wisdom this week to talk about something I observe in American politics that hurts all Americans. The genesis of this post is seeing yet another story about the political fight going on regarding America’s […]

Influence Tips for Running a Restaurant – Part 2

I started this series last week by mentioning all the traveling I’ve done during the first half of the year and how it has given me plenty of opportunities to observe how restaurants operate. Employing the psychology of persuasion can help customers enjoy the whole dining experience more, which, in turn, benefits the restaurant through […]

Influence Tips for Running a Restaurant – Part 1

Lots and lots of travel during the first half of the year! By the time it was over, I’d visited Baltimore, MD; Austin, TX; Nashville, TN; Chicago, IL; Greensboro, NC; Cincinnati, OH; State College, PA; Cleveland, OH; Milbank, SD; Des Moines, IA; Indianapolis, IN—and possibly a few other places I’ve forgotten. With all the travel […]