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The Soul of the Deal

Creative Frameworks for Buying, Selling, and Investing in any Business

Published by Rodin Books
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
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About The Book

The Soul of the Deal effortlessly teaches unconventional transactional strategies that are radically changing the approach of business buyers and sellers, investors, CEOs, and entrepreneurs. Their origin? Selling encyclopedias door-to-door, following the Grateful Dead for a lifetime, and closing 400+ successful deals.

His music-fueled philosophy that people (not spreadsheets) are the epicenter of every business interaction took Marc from Silicon Valley to Shanghai as principal, advisor, or counsel, as well as to the Board of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Tangible takeaways--captured as “Morgenstern’s Maxims” -- punctuate every chapter and are woven into vivid stories as much thriller as business book.

This entertaining and accessible book addresses the unchanging human, emotional, and tactical aspects of negotiating; stressing humor, real-time spontaneity and flexibility, empathy, and engaged listening as pathways to expanded negotiating and operating success.

Excerpt

ENDORSEMENTS
“Powerful lessons distilled into one hell of a fun, easy, and thought-provoking book. Marc defies stereotypes – a Deadhead and Deal head; a gifted storyteller and dealmaker with deep understanding of human dynamics. His Maxims alone are worth the price of this impactful read.”—Stewart Kohl, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, The Riverside Company

“Every business buyer, seller, investor, and aspiring deal maker should read this instant classic. I loved it.”—Steve McLaughlin, Founder and CEO, Financial Technology Partners, 3-time Fintech Dealmaker of the Year

“Marc knows every deal’s anatomy is similar but unique. These witty and informed war stores and anecdotes will help any dealmaker or wannabe understand how deals really get done and the personalities that influence them.”—April Miller Boise, EVP, Chief Legal Officer, Intel

“Great rock and roll bands and The Soul of the Deal have a magical alchemy delivering joy for audiences and readers. Pure pleasure.”—Greg Harris, President and CEO, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

“As a venture-funded, tech startup CEO, learning from Marc has been invaluable! His book’s virtuosity makes you laugh, think, take notes, and easily absorb career-altering tactical takeaways.”—Ryan Alshak, Founder and CEO, Time by Ping

“The Soul of the Deal provides practical, expert guidance and tactics through vivid stories and useful frameworks making anyone more effective negotiating sophisticated business transactions. Mandatory reading!”—Rob Markey, Bain & Company Senior Partner, co-creator of the Net Promoter System, and co-author of New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller The Ultimate Question 2.0

“At last! The must-read book moving past legal and technical aspects of selling a business to the critical factor—the humans involved—set to some of the most important music of the past 50 years.”—Lance Hill, Co-Founder and CEO, Within3

About The Author

Marc H. Morgenstern has taught Street Smart Startups at UC Berkeley. He’s a veteran dealmaker and entrepreneur with billions of dollars of buying, selling, and financing innovative and disruptive businesses from Day One of OfficeMax to Co-Founding digital healthcare software company Within3. Marc is the Managing Partner and Founder of early-stage investor Blue Mesa Partners, as well as Mentor-at-Large for The House Fund at UC Berkeley and its portfolio companies.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Rodin Books (November 1, 2022)
  • Length: 256 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781957588087

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