Unlocking Persuasion Gravity: A Guide to Effective Problem Resolution and More
The Power of Going Topside To Combat the Frustration of Ineffective Persuasion
Here’s a common frustration – People just won’t do what you want!
It’s especially annoying when that thing you want is also the right and decent thing to do. In this article, I’ll share my experiences with what I’ve dubbed, “Persuasion Gravity”
This technique shows how going up to the top can often produce fast, effective results.
Resolving The Gas Station Job Dilemma
My son’s brief stint as a gas station clerk during the 2020 Covid Pandemic raised significant concerns for me. Not just for his personal safety but from wages left unpaid after he resigned. Let’s see how employing Persuasion Gravity got this issue resolved in less than ten days.
One day my son tells me he took this job working at one of those gas station/convenience stores chains in the evening to make some extra money. I was immediately concerned.
Concerned for the usual reasons of course. Working alone at night. Getting robbed at gunpoint.
These concerns were multiplied by the fact that this was during the 2020 Covid Pandemic.
Fortunately, for my stress levels if not his wallet, he worked there less than two weeks. Then resigned due to unsafe (Covid-wise) work conditions. Lack of masking, food prep stuff, etc.
A new concern arose shortly thereafter. They would’t pay him!
His calls and messages to the manager were not returned. He tried to find the local chain owner to no avail. Weeks went by. Still no money.
I’d had enough. So I offered to step in. And he agreed.
I drafted a letter detailing the situation. Listed days and hours worked and salary agreed upon at time of hire, along with the the total amount due him for his service. I sited the reason for leaving as due to conditions deemed unsafe/unhealthy during a time of Pandemic. I added, that if this matter could not be resolved quickly, for such a small payroll sum, that I would have to investigate alternative remedies.
The tone was firm, but friendly. Merely seeking to resolve an issue. A “Can you help me with this?” style of writing, if that helps.
Two copies were mailed. With cc’s indicating both parties they were sent to.
One letter went to the address of employment. The second letter went to the CEO of the retail division of this billion dollar oil company subsidiary.
In less than ten days, my son had his payroll check!
This is what I like to call Persuasion Gravity.
It’s easy for a store manager to screw over some employee who quits. What are they going to do? Most employees won’t fight. And even if they win, payments can be long delayed.
Going to the top can sometimes be your best, most effective persuasion strategy.
See, quite often you find that you are the little guy, with limited power to persuade.
You need help. A big stick who cares. One who has the power you need to change things.
Listen, even if the big stick CEO doesn’t actually care, it doesn’t matter. Just the fact that the store owner (or any lesser mortal) now knows that a powerful overlord could be getting up in his business, can be threatening enough to resolve the problem.
Worst case, the big stick CEO passes it down to some assistant for resolution. This still carries more power because it’s now the big boss saying get this fixed, instead of little old you.
Navigating Cruise Line Shenanigans
A personal health issues caused a missed Bahama’s family cruise. This led to further challenges in securing a refund. Learn how one well-crafted letter to the CEO of the cruise line, using Persuasion Gravity, resulted in a favorable outcome and a subsequent enjoyable cruise experience for this family.
Here’s another more recent example of Persuasion Gravity in effect:
The one where I got a refund from a big cruise line that doesn’t give them.
Last year I had a heart attack out of the blue, the day before our family was to leave on a Bahama’s cruise. I was in the hospital and would miss it. Rest of the family didn’t want to go on without me either. But we didn’t feel we should lose all that pre-paid money!
A family friend, claiming she had “cruise connections” as a frequent traveler, called saying she could get us a refund, or credit at least to cruise another date. She was unsuccessful, after hours on the phone. They offered only $100 or so as a credit towards another date.
So my wife called. Her explaining the situation accomplished little more. Though in the process she did get the airlines to issue a full credit for future flights.
Still there was that cruise issue.
At first, I chided myself for not buying Travel Insurance. Then discovered, that option is not even offered in my state!
Once again I elected to employ Persuasion Gravity.
I drafted a letter to the CEO of the cruise lines. Again, using a firm, but friendly manner. Including a factual account of the problem, with all the pertinent details he could easily look up, and outlining exactly what I feel would be an acceptable remedy. (always, always be sure to clearly state what the heck it is you desire, lest you get only what THEY feel is acceptable – and you remain unhappy).
Truth be told, I did not expect a call from this CEO apologizing for the inconvenience and wishing me a speedy recovery.
What I did expect was that it would get passed down (gravity) from his top executive suite to the right person who DID have the authority (and responsibility) to make meaningful changes. (aka Make this problem go away)
While we didn’t get a the full refund or credit asked for, we did get a remedy that made us eager to book another cruise with the same company. Save thousands. And have a great time. We call it a win.
The Power of Persuasion Gravity
Persuasion Gravity can be a powerful tool for problem resolution. Whether it’s unpaid wages, refund issues, or any troublesome issue at all, going up to the top can often be the game-changer. And NOT for the obvious reason. You owe it to yourself to discover the influence a well-structured letter can yield and how it can mean thousands of extra dollars for you.
Persuasion Gravity Power – one letter, sent to the right person, a person high up in the food chain, can mean thousands of extra dollars for you! Or perhaps a new job? A wrong, righted.
What is it you want from some lower level employee that you just might get – if you talked to the right person?
Oil company paid up. Cruise line paid up. And these are just a few of the most recent success stories where I used Persuasion Gravity effectively.
Are you having trouble persuading?
Maybe you just need a bigger stick’s help!
Dr. Benjamin Hardy’s Insights
Psychologist Dr. Benjamin Hardy, in collaboration with legendary marketing expert Dan Sullivan published a recent book, “Who Not How,” which delves into the idea that faster success often comes from thinking about WHO can help you, rather than HOW you can get something done.
They offer many similar examples of how you don’t always need a better HOW TO; you just need a proper WHO TO.
Embrace the Power of Persuasion Gravity
Remember, in your pursuit of resolution, gain, and success, never hesitate to go up to the top if you need to. The CEO, or the big stick might not be the one to personally fix things, or even care, but they’ll undoubtedly pass that task on down to the right person. And more likely than not, just the fact that your letter came from the top, is persuasion enough to get this matter sorted. Fast.
Need help? Think some Persuasion Gravity might be just what you need?
Drop me a note; maybe in this case, I can be your helping WHO.
– Robert Schwarztrauber
P.S. You almost always have some, albeit hidden leverage in any negotiation. Even if you don’t, you can get some, quite simply, by uncovering what the big shot either fears or desires. The Copywriter’s Persuation Toolkit works great for this discovery. You’ll find going up to the top proves most effective when you harness that new found leverage to “persuade” the CEO or other big shot.
