Dear Reader,

Many people think that Persuasion is applied generally in Sales & Marketing to persuade customers to buy products and services.

But today, I’ll give you an example of how important the role Persuasion plays in saving people’s lives.

What I’m going to talk about is a serious issue that we’re currently facing in all parts of the world.

Yes, you got it. I’m talking about the Coronavirus Pandemic, which has already taken more than 2.5 million people’s lives. And still, we are counting.

This would not have happened if both authorities and the general public had taken the situation seriously and persuaded each other by all means to take precautions.

Besides, this process of Persuasion should have started a few years back, not now.

Back in 2015, when most people had never thought about the Corona kind of virus, it was Bill Gates who said if anything kills over 10 million people in the next few decades, it’s likely to be a highly infectious virus rather than a war. An infectious virus is a greater risk to humanity than nuclear war.

Bill Gates even warned the world that we are not ready to tackle the pandemic situation.

Bill was so certain about his prediction that he and his wife began to stockpile food in their basement years before the current pandemic.

And how did the world respond to his warning?

By doing NOTHING.

Bill Gates, who is the tech mogul, one of the richest, smartest, and most successful entrepreneurs on this planet, failed to persuade people, authorities, countries to be well-equipped to tackle the pandemic situation.

In a recent interview, when an interviewer asked Bill Gates about how he was so certain about something like a pandemic half a decade ago, he replied there are several respiratory viruses, and from time to time, one will come along. Respiratory diseases are very scary because you’re still walking around on a plane, a bus when you’re infectious.

And when the interviewer asked how he feels now about his prediction?

Bill Gates said he doesn’t feel any good about his prophecy. There’s no good feeling that comes with something like this: “I told you so.”

Bill Gates also said he wished he could have been more persuasive at that time. He could have done more to call attention to the danger. He could have been more outspoken to successfully convince world leaders about the potential for a “once-in-a-century pathogen.”

But the question is, why should only Bill Gates take all the blame for not using Persuasion?

What about other world leaders who knew the potential of a virus but failed to persuade their followers?

And what about highly prestigious world-class institutions who were studying such viruses, pandemics, and diseases for decades but failed to communicate how these things could impact a common man’s life. Even small businesses understand that their job is not limited to making great products, but it’s equally important to communicate and persuade their customers to buy these products.

Unfortunately, in many countries, the government, media, and authorities are blaming the general public for the daily rise in infection.

Nobody is thinking that an average innocent person is confused about what to do. They have never faced such a situation before. They have never imagined how an invisible virus could hurt their job and business.

Of course, we can’t spend our lives blaming others. It’s too late now and is of no use.

But, at least, we can persuade our near and dear ones to take precautions.

What is required is to keep learning Persuasion techniques. Keep sharpening Persuasion skills. We never know what crucial role it’s going to play in our lives.

Remember, Persuasion is not just a money-making skill. It’s even a life-saving skill.

Best

Vibhor Asri

Courses/Workshops