marilyn Davison

Entrepreneur in Residence The Fletcher School Tufts University MIT Sandbox Mentor Team Mediation and Coaching for International Teams and Entrepreneurs

[UM6P Explorer @Explorer_UM6P]

Yesterday, we kicked off the 10th Cohort of the UM6P Explorer Program online!
We’re proud to support 145 teams in this Fall 2024 cohort, and we couldn’t have done it without the incredible support of our dedicated mentors. Thank you for making this journey possible!

[D-Prize @thedprize]

The second D-Prize Global Competition of 2024 is now open! Are you a bold leader with a vision to fight poverty? Win up to $20K to turn your idea into impactful action through distribution. Apply now: https://t.co/5RDst42pdU

#dprize #socent

[marilyn Davison @whycroft]

@mkguliford I'm very sorry this has to be heartbreaking

[marilyn Davison @whycroft]

Excellent book that clearly defines steps with good stories to illustrate

[MIT Sloan School of Management @MITSloan]

In a new book, MIT Sloan senior lecturer Paul Cheek offers strategies for startup founders, including how to transition from design to development. https://t.co/sjcuTBRPsb

[MIT Sandbox @MITSandbox]

Applications for MIT Sandbox are closing today! Come join us in the Sandbox to learn and experience entrepreneurship. More information and apply: https://t.co/jgAdGHQvY9

[MIT Sandbox @MITSandbox]

MIT Sandbox applications are open! Undergrad @MITstudents and @MITGradStudents, have an idea for a startup? Join our info session on January 10th from 1 to 2pm to learn how you can explore entrepreneurship in MIT Sandbox. Register: https://t.co/D4BgrWSsV0

[UM6P Explorer @Explorer_UM6P]

🚀 Mark your calendars for the second in-person UM6P Explorer showcase on March 1, 2024, and Join us for an inspiring afternoon dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship
🚀 Reserve your place now through the following link: https://t.co/BUFmQv2QZM

[Hal Gregersen @HalGregersen]

“Our treasure lies in the beehive of our knowledge. We are perpetually on the way thither, being by nature winged insects and honey gatherers of the mind.” Friedrich Nietzsche

Today’s walk drew me to bees. They’re amazingly awesome to watch.

Life is good. #sixtysecondsolitude

[David Morris @wdmorrisjr]

When I was in high school, my dad closed a $2 BILLION sale (about $4.5 billion in today’s dollars).

It was the largest deal in the history of his industry.

Nearly 35 years later, I still think about the story of how he closed it every time I’m in a sales meeting.

At the time, my dad worked for a hazardous waste remediation business that helped manage, among other things, landfill waste.

One of the major industries they served was auto manufacturing and my dad developed a relationship with one of the biggest players.

The word went out that this manufacturer was bidding out a massive, long term agreement for landfill waste management. It was a career making opportunity.

My dad worked his way to the VP who was responsible for the project and positioned his company to be one of the bidders.

The day came for my dad to make the pitch. He sat in the VPs office nervous as can be.

But before he could give his presentation the VP said, “I want to run something past you.”

He went on to explain there was another option the company was exploring. Rather than hiring a third party to manage this project, they could manage it internally.

He paused and asked my dad what he thought.

Sheepishly, my dad replied, “That’s actually a good idea and I think it could work for you.”

The VP nodded, asked my dad to give his pitch, and the meeting ended.

My dad left gutted.

Why would he have told this VP they should manage it internally and not buy from him?

Because, it was the truth.

He had lost a sale but kept his integrity.

And that had to be enough.

A few weeks later, he got the call that they had been awarded the contract.

Needless to say, he was shocked.

To celebrate, he took the VP to dinner.

During the meal, the VP opened up.

Dave, do you know why I awarded you this deal?

I had 7 companies bid on this proposal. In each of the pitch meetings, I presented them with the option for us to do it ourselves.

That option was my idea. I already knew it would work.

But the other 6 people immediately started firing off reasons why it wouldn’t.

You were the only one who told me the truth.

Today, I’m the one sitting across from the prospective customer.

When I am, there are three things I always remind myself of:

1 - You can never assume you know why a prospect is asking you a question or sharing a certain piece of information. Ask instead of assuming.

2 - If you’re willing to be honest with a prospect, even when it goes against your best interests, it inspires trust. People buy from people they trust.

3 - At the end of the day, you may lose a sale but still have your integrity intact. And that’s always enough.

I may never land a $2 billion deal, but I’ll never forget the lessons I learned from a man who did.

***

I'm David and I write about being more thoughtful as a spouse, parent, and business leader.

Follow me @wdmorrisjr for more content like this.

[mHub Malawi @mHubMW]

● Calling bold problem solvers and aspiring social entrepreneurs! @thedprize Global Competition is LIVE. Apply for up to $20K to launch a new social venture distributing proven interventions to the last mile by 4 June. https://t.co/IW55aE6w8o
#SocEnt

[marilyn Davison @whycroft]

@mkguliford @Drexelsdogs What a sweetie!

[Hal Gregersen @HalGregersen]

“A birdsong can even, for a moment, make the whole world into a sky within us, because we feel that the bird does not distinguish between its heart and the world’s.” Rainer Maria Rilke ~ Being present invites a hidden wholeness into the world. I ❤️ birdsongs. #sixtysecondsolitude

[Massimo @Rainmaker1973]

Artist Pejac's “social distancing” is a trompe l'oeil creating an illusion of a deep gaping crevice on a cement wall at the campus of University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, made to honor health workers

[read more: https://t.co/KFDvgdfez6]

[European Space Agency @esa]

We are setting sail for safer space ⛵️

Space is full of junk. We want to establish a zero debris policy, which means if you put a spacecraft in orbit you have the responsibility to remove it.

But how are we going to achieve this? Find out below 👇

[marilyn Davison @whycroft]

Do you remember when you joined Twitter? I do! #MyTwitterAnniversary

[UM6P Explorer @Explorer_UM6P]

Meet Hamza BOULANDOUM, a student at EMINES and founder of CoRoSol, a startup dedicated to tackling construction problems using robotics. The startup current focus is solving the issue of manual tracing by using a robot that prints BIM plans directly into the ground.

[marilyn Davison @whycroft]

@AdhamSahloul @1journeyfest Good to hear about your life post Fletcher and congratulations on darling baby at least from knees down ! I’ve moved back to France but do follow you

[ActInSpace @ActInSpace]

🏆D-30 before knowing THE winner of the 5th edition of the international space hackathon: @ActInSpace

This is not the time to relax your efforts! Your team has a chance to win!💪

@CNES @Space4Europe @AerospaceValley
🤝Thales Alenia Space

[marilyn Davison @whycroft]

@nathaliejacoby1 Mohawk