To Be or Not to Be Intimidated?: That is the Question

**I'll preface this by saying I am in Real Estate with a sales license for agencyBecause all the negative reviews, comment on the books' concentration on Ringer's commercial real estate journey....Negative comments with this face-value dismissal will OVERLOOK the UNREVEALED mindsets one should really have approaching businessIf I could, I would have read this book 10 years ago, well before I had my license .....Today, Every business book will sell you on rosy green pastures in the industry as long as you give value and sing kumbaya ..... Leaving you ill-prepared for more experienced competitors, colleagues, even customers out for your Money .....If you are really starting from the ground up in business, like ringer you WILL UNDOUBTEDLY face these challenges ......Two lessons in the book conveyed much more vividly -- No one will be looking out for your interests- Power posture is EVERYTHING in negotiationRinger DOES NOT use a know-all, 'guru' voice, simply stating - "this is how it's done, just listen because i'm successful"............but rather he depicts all his lessons in detailed stories from his experiences, showing pitfalls and successful adjustments.To be fair, If I read this 10 years ago I probably would have made the same negative comments, seeing no immediate relevance before becoming an agent.... but that would be like trashing a ferrari because I didn't obtain my license yetI'll agree that maybe the book needs to be prefaced, that it's about his real estate journey .... so if you're going to read this book, an open-mind needs to be kept, enough to apply those challenges ..... if not you're probably not ready for it ..... or you're searching to learn from more 'guru'-type materials

I was fooled by the glowing reviews thinking this book might contain universally applicable information. It has a bit of that at the beginning, but 90% of the book is the author going on in excruciating detail about his life in real estate. If you work in this field, this book may be for you. Anyone else would probably not find this book all that useful.

This is a re-issue of Winning Through Intimidation, a book I loved and lost. Its been updated and talks about how their is no substitute for knowing what your doing. Intimidators know what their doing, and Intimidate those who don't know what they are doing

If reading this book informs you of these two things, then you will have spent your ten bucks and few hours of reading time well. First, Ringer lets you know that everybody is out to get you. While much of my career has been marked by people going out of their way to be kind to me, and many mutually beneficial relationships, the point is still well-taken. In business, the people you do business with are looking out for their own business interests. It's nice when everyone wins, but often that only happens when contracts are clear, agreements are written, and you energetically stand up for what you have contractually agreed upon.So - for small business owners like me (I'm a landscaper), please, create a basic contract for every job you do. Don't think that your verbal agreement is enough. It isn't. Outline everything, make any additions or changes in writing, and do not deviate from that practice unless you're able to afford getting screwed. This sounds paranoid and mean-spirited, but it's of benefit to your clients as well, since they'll appreciate clarity and knowing what they get for what price.Next, and I learned this recently to my detriment - the lawyer-to-lawyer respect rule is real. If you will be in any situation where the other side has a lawyer, get your own lawyer, even if you have to bribe your friend's parent's brother in law to stand for you. Otherwise the lawyer will run right over you just for the fun of winning. Lawyers seem to respect one another, however, so if you get two of them in a room, they can generally hammer out some agreement that won't make everybody want to die. So - if you know someone has legal counsel, and you care how the decision goes - get your own legal counsel to talk things through with their person. Otherwise, you will lose.Now, for the book itself. Ringer rambles through a number of long stories about real estate deals that as a landscaper I found monumentally boring. I bought this book on the advice of Dan Kennedy, who I adore, and while I liked Ringer's no-nonsense tone, the book was more about Ringer than it was about us. Not a good thing. Though I did find that his attitudes and points about success in business were helpful, I found books like The Four Hour Workweek much more so given the time it took to read each. We only have so many hours in the day, and Ringer's books needed a good editor to make this book a third the size. Had he done that, I would have recommended it with more enthusiasm.

I thought this book was very interesting and offered some really good tips for anyone in sales, namely the emphasis on positioning yourself as THE professional.However, I found the author's writing to be too focused on the greedy pursuit of money. To me, there is more to sales (and commercial real estate brokerage) than simply accumulating "chips", as the author calls them. Furthermore, I do not feel that there are only 3 types of people, and that all want to keep you from getting your money.All of that said, I think this book offers valuable insight with little fluff. Every salesperson/agent should read this book, if for no other reason than to read the cool stories the author tells about his business.

This was a real eye-opener for me. It taught me a new way to look at business partners, no matter what form they come in. This book has a lovely feel to it; it is easy to read and is written in a fun, light way. The anecdotes are also strong. This is definitely a book worth reading for anyone who is now in, or is likely in the future to go into, business with another person.I had the original "Winning through intimidation", which I felt had a fat better title, but this version is subtly different and a tiny bit better.

Having misplaced my ancient copy of 'Winning through intimidation' I got this watered down, much rewritten and rethought version... big mistake. Too much waffle and it lost the highly positive inspiring advice that made the original a best seller in its day, and Ringer was spot on back then, I and others used his brilliant insights to great effect. This To be book was a massive disappointment, I threw it in the trash when we moved. Fortunately the original turned up. Buy Winning though intimidation. PS it is NOT a book about selling real estate! This is good stuff you will thank him for pointing out.

A good friend bought me this for Christmas years ago in S Africa. (about 1981) I had left the UK broke and depressed.Two years later I returned. and started to make money using the principles. I made over a million eventually. That was enough. I don't want my life ruled by money, but thank you Mr Ringer for preventing it from being ruled by people who do.At one level this is a funny book, at another its a cruel but fair look at the out and out bastards who will beset you if you ever dare try and do something on your own initiative.If The Peter Principle was the bible for corporate workers, this is the bible for the self employed. In my case truly life changing.

I liked the practical side of stories. I don't have any interest in real estate but I think that's not important at all to appreciate this book.

The author wrote this book based on his previous bestseller. He changed the title and some of the content. This is one of my favorite book with the original that I read many years ago.

Those looking for self-help business books need to get this one as a reality check to counter much of the "it's all about a positive attitude" fairytales (i.e. Think & Grow Rich nonsense).Robert Ringer divides his advice into memorable 'Theories' and backs these up with a lot of real-life experience from his career as a commercial real estate broker. The latter also being perhaps the only downside. Not for me as I am in real estate, but the examples might not hit home as much for those who are in a different branch. These examples fill a pretty big part of the book, without them it could have been condensed to 100-130 pages. Hence 4 stars. If you are in real estate, then consider this a 5 star.Don't get me wrong though, it does not beat around the bush. It delivers upon its promise (overcoming Intimidation) and it avoids all the nonsense while still being actionable in both business and real life. That's very rare, which is why this is a must buy, especially if you feel this quote hits home:"The problems most people encounter in trying to achieve their objectives - in business, personal relationships, and virtually all other facets of life - stem from being intimidated by others." - most memorable quoteAlso, it's very funny and certainly not dated.