PPP #129: Starting from the top

Pip’s Practical Prompts Newsletter Sent by Charles Burdett Negotiation Starting from the top The first figure you mention during a negotiation becomes an anchor. Your counterpart will likely want to talk you down from that amount. That’s why you should never start...

PPP #128: Empathy networking

Pip’s Practical Prompts Newsletter Sent by Charles Burdett Networking Empathy networking Want to connect with anyone in a meaningful way? Ask yourself: Why are they suffering and how can I help them? This could be as simple as seeing that your colleague...

PPP #127: Soup of the day

Pip’s Practical Prompts Newsletter Sent by Charles Burdett Productivity Soup of the day Is your to-do list making you feel exhausted? Instead of seeing it as a list of demands, Oliver Burkeman (author of Four Thousand Weeks) advises treating it like a menu....

PPP #126: Water Cooler 2.0

Pip’s Practical Prompts Newsletter Sent by Charles Burdett Leadership Giving feedback Want your feedback to be more powerful? Make sure it’s tied to the goal your team is working towards. Instead of saying ‘Good job on the alt text!’, say ‘Thank you...

PPP #125: The Rubber Band Method

Pip’s Practical Prompts Newsletter Sent by Charles Burdett Storytelling The non-negotiables We care about a story when we know these three crucial things: the hero their goal what stands in their way. Any story will keep people engaged if these are established...

PPP #124: A simple icebreaker

Pip’s Practical Prompts Newsletter Sent by Charles Burdett Influence A simple icebreaker Want to be positively remembered by anyone you meet? Compliment them on something simple yet personal to them. This could be as easy as saying, ‘That’s a lovely name!’ when...

PPP #123: The perfect day

Pip’s Practical Prompts Newsletter Sent by Charles Burdett Productivity The perfect day Want to make sure the goals you’re chasing will make you happier in the long run? Try to visualise your perfect day: the time you’d like to wake up, whether...

PPP #122: Habit stacking

Pip’s Practical Prompts Newsletter Sent by Charles Burdett Productivity Habit stacking Want to improve without big changes to your routine? Try habit stacking - adding a new habit to an existing one. For example, you could stand on one leg (which will...

PPP #121: System shutting down

Pip’s Practical Prompts Newsletter Sent by Charles Burdett Sales The power of questions We’re taught to address objections with facts - never with questions. When a client says, “This is too expensive”, don't list the benefits of your product. By asking more...

PPP #120: Report progress like a pro

Pip’s Practical Prompts Newsletter Sent by Charles Burdett Teamwork Progress report When you're running a project, it's important to keep your boss up to speed. You don't want to overwhelm them with details, though, as it can look like you don't have...

PPP #119: Stop writing

Pip’s Practical Prompts Newsletter Sent by Charles Burdett Storytelling Stop writing Are you having trouble finishing your stories? Take advice from Ernest Hemingway. He would stop writing not when he was out of ideas - but when he knew where the story was...

PPP #118: The curse of knowledge

Pip’s Practical Prompts Newsletter Sent by Charles Burdett Innovation The curse of knowledge Most teams forget the most obvious way of improving their product - using it. You know how your product is supposed to work. But without regular usage, you...