Conference Roundup: Perseverance, Persistence Prevail in Getting Buy-in From the Top

When facing naysayers, respondents to the survey suggested engaging them in the process, listening and compromising, hitting them with “ironclad research and data” or simply cutting them out of the process.

Finally, Grams offered these suggestions for getting the OK for new ideas:

1. Make time. If you can’t, no one else will.
2. Sell your idea! If you don’t believe it, no one else will.
3. Build consensus with key stakeholders and senior staff.
4. Utilize outsiders like consultants, colleagues and case studies.
5. Arm yourself with facts and figures.
6. Start small — prove you can deliver and then go for the gusto.
7. Offer options … [and remember that] multiple choice doesn’t have to include “no.”
8. When it really matters, choose face-to-face conversation [rather than phone or e-mail].
9. Bottom line: What’s the cost? What’s the return?
10. Don’t give up! Perseverance and persistence always prevail.