Why streaming is here to stay?

In the last couple of months, we have heard a couple of artists boycotting streaming services or even digital vendors when it comes to their new releases. We all remember how Taylor Swift took Apple by storm by pulling her catalogue out of iTunes because they were not paying the artists for the streams during the customer’s free trial of the service. Later Apple changed their ways and started paying the artists for the free trial streaming. Taylor was happy and her music catalogue is in iTunes for her fans joy and pleasure. The later these last weeks came Adele with her new album ‘25’. This album will be sold pretty much nowhere most customers will not go buy it: in the stores; no iTunes, no Spotify, etc. We’ll see how that works out for Adele.

If Taylor and Adele’s examples are not enough we have Prince. Prince has decided to take his whole catalogue out of services like iTunes, Pandora, and Spotify because they are making all the money while the artists make little to nothing from the streaming of their music. As of today, Prince is reviewing the possibility of opening his catalogue to the newest streaming service Tidal (Jay-Z’s company).

Just like Prince, I can testify that streaming pays sixpence to the artists. As a published artist I constantly see the streaming reports of my music; the reports look like I barely make any money from streaming. But I would still stream my music because I see that exposure potential that it brings to new artists like myself.

I even stumbled upon an article that expresses the sentiment of many of the fans out there. In his article, Ari Herstand, explains why as a fan he will not be buying Adele’s new album ‘25’. He states that most people are looking for convenience and that most people, like him, don’t own a CD player anymore. I must admit I do only because I have a computer with a CD-ROM drive. Most people will listen to the album or tunes on Spotify, YouTube, and all those streaming services before they decide to buy it.

Adele’s decision to not stream is putting her career in danger because people are really into streaming. Ari states that streaming is not giving much money to the artists at this moment but the possibility of fans discovering one’s music and falling in love with it is big. And that from this possibility people might but the album, whether online or in a store (if they love your music a lot). Adele is just making it impossible for her fans and her future fans to listen to her music and fall in love with it.

On the other side, the only thing that can stop streaming at this point will not be the artists opposition but the high bandwidth it drains from our Internet service, especially in these times where data is no longer unlimited. For the moment, music fans do not seem to care about their data as much. As for streaming, many new artists should use these services to gain more fans that will love their music. Definitely, streaming is here to stay, we just have to learn to use in our favor and fight to get better payments from these services.

Until next time!

Negotiation Tactics

In this post, I would like to address some of the tactics widely used in negotiation. There is a lot to learn when it comes to business, but there is nothing more important in business than learning to negotiate. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary to negotiate is “a formal discussion between people who are trying to reach an agreement.” Like in any other discipline, in negotiation, there are techniques or tactics that can be used to get to an agreement where both parts can have positive rewards. But what do you do when you encounter problems during negotiations?

One thing that normally stands in front of us in most of our relationships (not only in negotiation) is our ego. Yes, our ego. Another tactic in negotiation that stood out to me is BATNA or Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement. In Stephen Stuart’s video, he explains BATNA as the lowest point a negotiator will consider that still will be beneficial to him/her. He also states that we must not concentrate on the position we have (letting go of the ego, as the Buddhists say) but only on the deal and its goal. One of the main things we should do when negotiating is to learn to separate people from the problem.

In the reviewed video, we can grasp that it is important to make the distinction that negotiators are people too. This means that even if the person seems intimidating and likes to argue we still can learn to overcome that kind of personality for a more rewarding result during the negotiation process. In this video, we also see that we must learn not to focus on the positions of the different parties but on the interests and how it can be fulfilled in a manner that all the involved parties can be at ease with the ending result of the process. Another thing the speaker pointed out is that we should invent options for mutual gain. It is better when both parties feel like they can gain something from the negotiation. No one wants to feel left out (just think about it).

This brings me to the next video where Margaret Neale gives us tips on how to be successful/effective when negotiation. She says that the goal of the negotiation is not to get a deal but to get a good deal; we must know the difference. She goes then to give us three (3) pieces of information to get you to a better negotiation. They go as follows:

            1. What are our alternatives? - He or she with a better alternative gets the deal. It is that simple.

            2. What is the reservation price? - Reservation is where your bottom line lies, where a no looks as good as a yes. This is also BATNA.

            3. What is your aspiration? - What is the realistic/optimistic view of the best possible outcome?

Neale also points out four (4) steps for negotiation. They are the following:

            1. Assess - weigh benefits and costs. Do the benefits outweigh the costs or vice versa?

            2. Prepare - understand my interest. What do I want to achieve? Understand the preference of the counterpart. What are my interests? What are your interests?

            3. Ask - engage with your counterpart. Bring the information that only you have. Share that information with your counterpart.

            4. Package - Bundle alternative proposals.

Neale also explains the differences between female negotiators and male negotiators. She says that studies show that female negotiators are more likely to have best results when engaging in representational negations; meaning that they are better when negotiating for someone else. This made think of why are we better in representing people but not good at negotiating for ourselves? Why is this and why are we letting it happen? Margaret Neale points out that there is a social perception of women not asking, therefore, women tend to not use their negotiations skills. Ladies, we need to learn and use our negotiation skills.

When negotiating we must leave our egos to one side and be objective. We must conduct the negotiation to a point where all the parties can be comfortable and fulfilled. Like in any other discipline, in negotiation, we must use the techniques and tactics to make sure both parties interests are fulfilled and the outcome is positive for both parties as well. In negotiation, the way we transmit the message, the deal we bring, and the solutions we give are all necessary for the negotiation to be successful and effective.

Do you have any tips for negotiating effectively?

Power of the Bass

África Mãe Do Leão Sound System (Brazil)

Have you ever felt the power of the bass? Have you ever felt how the bass travels through the space and vibrates on your heart? I have and it feels liberating. Now, when we see the big speakers transmitting the sound of the bass it’s an experience that you will never forget. The way the sound comes from those giant speakers. We call it Sound System music and it has the Power of the Bass.

A Sound System is more than just speakers, a singer (DJ) and music; it is a movement. We are all over the world creating consciousness and to bring a message. When you hear the music of the Sound System you will hear the message of consciousness; we bring a message; a message of love, unity, and upliftment. 

Jah Command Sound System (Mexico) 

This is not something new. The sound system culture has been around for quite some time. From the ghettos of Jamaica in the 1950s, you could find a thundering noise and when you close you hear the power of the bass coming from big speakers. But it wasn’t until the 1960s and 1970s that the culture gained popularity and became more international. 

 Echo Chamber Roots HiFi ft. Sista Zari (Mexico)

Throughout time, it has been the Power of the Bass that brings people together. The bass is so powerful it can extinguish a fire; imagine what it can do for your body. The bass can help your body energy to find an outlet while dancing and enjoying a good time: a win-win situation. It is a good reason to have fun and exercise without feeling like you're in a marathon and it’s good at any age.

Dub and Sound System are a way to release tension and extinguish the fire within. I will post more about the Sound System and Dub culture on a later post. Let the Power of the Bass take over!

What is Branding?

When I started the degree I thought I knew what my brand was, but it wasn't until I’ve come to this course (Business Branding and Storytelling) that I have truly understood how to connect with my customers. Throughout this time, I have been able to learn more about what can make my company shine to the customers. I’ve learned what things I can use on my logo and on my statements to make a great impression on the customers and to keep their loyalty. 

The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding helped me understand the most common mistakes most companies do and how to work around them to give my brand and company a steady place in my customers' hearts. I believe that with all the knowledge acquired this month my company will have a better structure that will be to create a lasting impression in the world. 

This month has pushed me to further explore the nature of why my company exists and deepen our mission and vision. With the knowledge acquired during this course, my partner and I have been able to explore more of what makes you who we are and what is really what we want to accomplish. We have learned how to make our company an extension of ourselves and how to connect with not only people like us but with others to grow and understand the market. I have seen through these studies how brands grow or flop; how they evolve or just die.

I believe that from now on our company is more focused on the future and more clear of our path using the knowledge received from this course. I am more  than prepared to take the rails and bring my company to a new clearer path where we can grow and serve our customers with our best products and practices.

Self Defining Hetain Patel (A way to become you)

At first, when I watched Hetain Patel’s TED Talk I thought it was just a funny sketch but as I continue to understand the point his was bringing across I realized that I was more connected and inspired by his work. They way he interprets how we learn from everyone and everything around us and that in imitating these things and people we fail, therefore we become more authentic. The reason why I can connect with Patel is because I have all my life being in the same position as him. I have tried to find my authenticity but in the process, I have imitated many characters: my mom, my dad, heroes, artists, etc. When I went to college to study Sociology (Bachelor’s degree) was when I realized how all of this collided to bring my uniqueness. How the culture of our parents, the places we grow and the stimulus created by the media affect us. The one thing I like the most about Patel’s art and delivery is that even though it may look like it has a political motive but in reality it is not. As he describes it, it’s the result of the ideas that he has allowed to take residence in his body; now he let it loose in what is his unique art; through video, live performance, and photography, to name a few while delivering it with humor. But is it really humor or is it a way to let out the truth that is deep within him (ourselves)? The ever-changing self-walking the path of finding individuality in a different light in his eyes. It persuades you to try to find yourself, your authenticity and create a world very much yours: find your brand. His art is very much his as it very much of us the ones that can understand and relate to his story, that is why his performances mostly leave and an open end.

A review of his work on The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2012/nov/28/hetain-patel-be-like-water-review