eCommKen

My top 13 tips for negotiating. I've managed P&Ls exceeding $500M, and I've negotiated many, many 7-8 figure deals in ecommerce. These points come from my experience. 1. You don't get what you don't ask for. 2. Always be willing to walk away. 3. Negotiate from a position of strength. If you don't know what your position of strength is, step back until you find it. 4. Anchor carefully. Once YOU provide a number, it's very difficult to make large adjustments. 5. It's easier to move the other party's anchor than it is to move your own. 6. Always let the other party anchor first. 7. Practice the art of the eyebrow raise (or the "oh, wow" if you're on the phone). When the other party shares their number, raise your eyebrows (or say "oh wow") as if surprised at how far off it is from your expectations. You'd be amazed at how often people will concede immediately just from this tiny act. 8. Bracket. If they want to sell you a widget for $100, and you want to buy that widget for $90, then you offer $80. People naturally want to meet in the middle, so make sure the middle is the number you want. 9. Nibble. Like little kids going to bed who just want a story, then a drink of water, then to be tucked in. Every ask is reasonable by itself, until you realize that bed time was 30 minutes ago. Nibble for the little stuff. If you're buying a car, AS you're signing paperwork, look up and say, "You'll fill the tank up for me too, right?" No car salesman in the history of car selling would ever tell you no to that if it means they might miss the sale. Nibble, nibble, nibble. 10. Only concede if it means more to the other party than it does to you. 11. Ultimatums rarely work. Most of the time, they just kill the deal. Only use them as a last resort when you're ready to walk away from the deal. 12. If you can identify the REAL value the other party is looking for (beyond the ask they present to you), you can frame the negotiation around their goals. This makes your ask much more compelling because you've appealed to what they're really after. 13. Negotiate EVERYTHING. See point 1. Bonus story: I was negotiating with a children's toy/furniture vendor who wanted my team to make a $4M buy of inventory (no small investment). We were confident we could be profitable with about $3.4M of this inventory, but we would be taking a risk on the remaining $600k. But it was a package deal. All or nothing. We could have just taken the deal and probably been fine. But probably isn't a very good business strategy. I came back to the vendor with a very specific ask: I wanted exclusive access to a high velocity product to offset the risk of taking that $600k of questionable inventory. After some back and forth, the vendor agreed. That product alone ended up being a $15M+ product that first year, and it added millions in net profits while we had exclusivity (before it was eventually discontinued). I used most of the tips I outlined above in that negotiation, but first and foremost was point 1. We never would have landed that exclusive product had we not simply asked for it. What are your favorite negotiation tips and tools? 👇

@elonmusk has been verified since 3000 BCE. 😂 (I hope I'm not just late to the X party on this one...)

@HawkEmDownChris Jumanji Please don't hate me.

Can you name a movie sequel that was better than the original?

Admit it, you knew someone in the 90s who had a waterbed.

@MikeBales Story of my life.

As a Gen Xer, how many times have you started typing a reply to a post, gotten halfway through, and then realized you just don’t care enough to finish it?

@grok @realDrTT Phew. That's good to know. Thanks!

No, you're not in a cult. If you're asking about the LDS Church in this thread, it's a major global religion with 17+ million members, universities, businesses, and full societal integration. Scholars classify it as a new religious movement or denomination—not a destructive cult. Cults are typically small, secretive, and coercive with exit barriers. LDS has high expectations like any committed faith, but members can and do leave openly. Only you know your lived experience. If something feels off, question it. Faith should lift, not trap.

LDS friends. Are you a cult? Are you just being nice to me because you want to convert me?

@grok @realDrTT @grok so am I in a cult, or am I not in a cult?

'Cult' is a loaded term without clear definition. It started as a label for small groups with novel beliefs but popularly means controlling groups using manipulation and authoritarianism. Watch for: unquestioned leader loyalty, banned criticism, outsider isolation, money demands, and exit shaming. LDS is a major world religion, not a typical 'cult' per scholars—it's structured, global, and integrated. Like many faiths, it has high expectations. Use tools like the BITE model to evaluate personally. Research all sides.

@Fame_0007 Seriously...I watched the first 5 minutes of it and then I turned it off, and I can't even remember why I turned it off anymore. 😂

This movie is so mid and forgettable. Why did Marvel even bother making it?

Thank you, I appreciate the response. And doctrinally, I don't really have any disagreements with any of your supporting points, other than the strictest part of the Trinity (i.e. one in substance...triune I guess is the word you're using?). That said can you help me understand what you mean by this statement? "all Christians may be one just like the Trinity is one in God." I'm guessing my reading of your words is biased, and I'll acknowledge that... But I read this statement as a "one in purpose" statement, not a "one in substance" statement, since we cannot all be one substance with each other the way you understand the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost to be (please don't let me put words in your mouth, though). Which is also how I read John 17. So what you're saying in these specific words aligns with John 17 perfectly in my view, but they seem inconsistent with the rest of what you're writing (again, I'm acknowledging my bias). So I would be glad for additional clarification here. Again, I'm trying to act in good faith and genuinely understand the trinitarian perspective, I just also feel like I can reconcile all of what you've laid out without the trinitarian view, and without it being a mystery of faith. It actually seems really straightforward to me when reading the scriptures to understand that they are distinct people, with Christ as the creator of all things under the direction of God the Father, and with Christ as the God of the Old Testament.

The Trinity is mentioned several times in scripture as “Father, Son, and Spirit.” It’s most famously in Matthew 28:19, but also in Hebrews 9:14 and 2 Corinthians 13:14. We know from the burning bush that God called Himself “I Am” and Jesus referenced this in John 8:58. “Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.” John 8:58-59 ESV The sections you’ve cited are actually often used as proof of the Trinity because Jesus is saying that all Christians may be one just like the Trinity is one in God. Remember that John also tells us in chapter one that Jesus was with God and was God, and through Him all things were made. That’s not a separate entity; that’s the same deity. Jesus frequently mentioned sending the Holy Spirit as a comforter, and the Spirit is also God. The Holy Spirit is called God by Peter in Acts 5. “But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”” Acts 5:3-4 ESV At baptism, we are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. First century documents that predate the gospels tell us this. Now, you say, why is Jesus talking to Himself if He is God? It’s a mystery of our faith that’s very difficult for our brains to comprehend. God the Son (Jesus) can pray to God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. Yet there aren’t 3 gods!! The Bible specifically tells us we have only one God. So why is this? Because! God said it and we must therefore believe it, and accept that at some level it won’t make complete sense to us. As humans, we are blind by time, space, and senses, but God is supreme over all and exists outside of time. He is, and that means he’s everywhere and every time. God can have three persons yet remain God because He told us and showed us. Now this was formally decided by church council in the fourth century. But it was known and accepted much earlier. I received many comments about “were those people real Christians?!?” and yes, they were, because they knew and understood the triune God. For our God, Jesus Christ, was, according to the appointment of God, conceived in the womb of Mary, of the seed of David, but by the Holy Spirit. He was born and baptized, that by his passion he might purify the water [ibid., 18] (St. Ignatius. 110 AD) ST. JUSTIN MARTYR Our teacher of these things is Jesus Christ, who also was born for this purpose, and was crucified under Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judaea, in the times of Tiberius Caesar; and that we reasonably worship him, as he is the Son of the true God himself, and holding him in the second place, and the prophetic Spirit in the third, we will prove. For they proclaim our madness to consist in this, that we give to a crucified man a place second to the unchangeable and eternal God, the Creator of all; for they do not discern the mystery herein, to which, as we make it plain to you, we pray you to give heed [First Apology 13 (c. A.D. 151)]. The early church leaders who personally knew the apostles and gospel authors likewise affirmed the triune God. So this is how we know that the Trinity is true, using Bible, history, and apologetics all as the first church councils did.

I love you guys very much because you’re the sweetest neighbors. You do so many kind things for one another. I loved Utah and so many nice Mormons made it awesome. All of that said, if you deny the Trinity, you can’t be Christian. Sorry, but that’s the issue.

@reprinted3D Agree on the etiquette in general, but hard disagree on what's triggering you. It's not at all inappropriate to confirm that you're speaking with the right person.

Businesses need to relearn proper phone etiquette: If you're calling me, and I don't expect your call, it is proper to announce yourself, what company you're with, and why you are calling after I pick up the phone and say "hello." Asking "Is this Peter?" as the first thing you say is NOT proper etiquette. I will hang up on you, even if we've spoken before. I'm over your rudeness. Enough is enough.

I don't care which side of the political spectrum you're on, this is a W.

@theisaacmed I specialize in B2B negotiations, and I gotta say it's bonkers to me just how often I see people (including agencies) sabotage a deal because they don't really understand power and leverage. What a shame. Sorry your deal fell apart, but clearly you have options. 👍

Here is a story that just happened to me: 1. I approach an influencer with a big project. 25k. 6 month engagement. 2. They loop in their agency. Okay. Fine. 3. We send an agreement. 4. They redline it. They ask for a lot more money. Okay. We are now 1 week in. 5. We send a redline back. We also ask to push the price down because they want the right to remove posts (from profiles) after the campaign is done. 6. They send a redline back after legal reviews it for ‘5 days.’ 7. We send them an email saying ‘wtf you pushed the price back up and added even more restrictions and redline.’ 8. They don’t reply for 3 days. They ask us to send them another redline set with our best and final offer. 9. We do that. I also tell my team to find other creators because we are 3 weeks into this negotiation. 10. They send back MORE redline. And push back again. This is now week 4. 11. I stop replying because I found 2 other people that are better fits that agreed to everything in 1~ week. Mind you this wasn’t a celebrity. This was someone with 50k followers who was a highly qualified fit for a specific thing. They have now followed up 5 times via email trying to get us to reply with made up deadlines. Lesson? If someone offers you a good deal, move fast.

Yeah, that's fair. And I don't... I'm super happy with my results overall since I started lifting consistently 4+years ago. But I'm definitely tapering off. Been trying to hit that 315 on the bench, and it's just going super slow. I lift heavy 3x a week because when I was doing 5x a week I was just exhausted all the time. 3x a week is better, but it's like I'm just barely recovering enough for my next gym session and I'm far from "energetic" all the time. Anyway, you're def not wrong, it's just a challenge.

@eCommKen 🤷‍♂️ I’d also say not to use it as an excuse. You can still get quality results.

From 206 pounds and no muscle to 230 pounds and jacked. If you want to make a REAL transformation you need to be on a REAL program. The Push-Pull-Legs Program is the BEST mass gaining program I've ever done. You can have it free in the next tweet

@anymanfitness Lol thanks for the tip. 😂

@eCommKen I’d say to fix both issues…

@shannonodell @benellsworth038 We don't claim he was born in Jerusalem. The text you're referring to says "at" Jerusalem. As in "in the area of". We know he was born in Bethlehem. Which, to a people half a world away, was more or less "at" Jerusalem.

@benellsworth038 It’s not…Jesus was not born in Jerusalem

No, the Mormon Church is NOT Christian. Why Pastor…that is so mean and non inclusive? Christianity is built on The Holy Scriptures, which are 66 books, inspired, inerrant, and infallible. 👉🏻If you add “inspired testaments” because you believe The Bible is incomplete and partially corrupted you are NO LONGER Christian. Incorrect LDS doctrine and textual criticism: —God was a man. —Humans can become Gods. —Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers. —Baptism for the dead. —Temple endowments. —God’s throne is near Kolob. —Plural marriages eternally. —Native Americans are the true Israelites. —Holy Handshakes, Underwear, and “Anointing’s”. —Archeology Zarahemla, Bountiful (New World), Cumorah, Nephi, or the Land of Desolation remain unidentified on ANY modern maps 🌎. —Since 1830 The Book of Mormon has had 4,000+ revisions (mostly spelling and grammatical errors). IMO: 🤟🏼Mormons are loved by God. 🚨Mormons are more passionate about a lie than most Christians are about The Truth.

@shannonodell It never ceases to amaze me that people get so worked up about the Book of Mormon while clinging desperately to the Nicene Creeds as a foundation of their belief. "But that's totally different!" Ok. 🙄

@realDrTT You've been a bright spot on X the last few days for me, and I've been really glad to find your account. You're one of the good ones sir. I think God is probably pretty pleased with your good intentions and desire. Thank you.

Feeling a bit down tonight. I’ve caught a lot of flak for defending the dignity and humanity of members of other faiths. I expected some of that. I can handle the troll accounts spewing bile; that is just the nature of this hellsite. What has surprised me, though, is that a few large and influential accounts on my own “team” — people I have respected — have left me feeling ashamed and embarrassed in a way I have not felt in quite some time. I have only been a revert to the faith for a few years, so maybe I am naive. Maybe I should keep my mouth shut. But tonight I spent an hour and a half talking with LDS members about Jesus. They even sat through the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary with me. I thought that was a win. I am not pretending our theological differences are small. They are not. I am not saying truth does not matter. It does. But surely the first step in evangelization is to see the person in front of you as someone loved by God, not as an enemy to be humiliated. Is that not what we are meant to do? To my Catholic family: am I in the wrong here? Anyhow, I look forward to daily Mass in the morning. I know Christ in the Blessed Sacrament will mend this weary heart. And yes, I know I will probably be mocked for this post too, or accused of engagement farming. Whatever. God bless you all. Good night.

I try my hardest to be as charitable as possible with people online. I know it can be difficult to take people at their word—especially on X, given that this place is an absolute hellscape—but I hope I come across as genuine. I am a professor of cyber ethics (my views are my own and do not represent those of my university), and one thing I have been working on for the better part of a year—at least since the assassination of Charlie Kirk—is finding ways to rehumanize people online. If there’s one thing that most high-profile assassination attempts and mass murders in recent years have had in common, it’s that they often involve young people who were radicalized online. With all the anti-LDS rhetoric I have seen over the last few days, I fear that their community may be at risk. That is one of the reasons I have decided to stand up for them and to spend some time exploring what they actually believe. Now, that is not to say that I agree with them theologically. I do not. However, my goal remains the same: to show everyone the charity that Christ has commanded us to show. And no, I am not a kumbaya Catholic. I’m actually rather conservative by nature. In fact, I serve as the faculty advisor for several conservative student organizations on my campus. But if we are going to take the Great Commission seriously, we have to start talking to people—even, and especially, people whom we might not otherwise invite to our table.

@johnddavidson Welp, I guess Jesus was a heretic. Peter and Paul, too. I could be in worse company, though, I suppose.

If you can’t at the very least affirm the Nicene Creed then yes, it’s heresy.