Irina Hakamada: On how to be thin, successful and free

A man who gained access to power and did not tarnish his reputation with bribery and intrigue. A woman who made herself. Irina Khakamada is without a doubt a unique personality in the Russian socio-political arena. In 2008, she left the echelon of the powerful because she could no longer engage in what she said had no prospects and, most importantly, no pleasure. After leaving politics, he writes books, conducts master classes, on which, based solely on his life experience, he tells how to be effective, while remaining free, and most importantly - happy.

The appearance of Irina at the 12th anniversary of NL International in Moscow was a real event. A few months later, she, one of the country’s most sought-after business coaches, found time in her incredibly busy schedule. In Novosibirsk, between two master classes, we had fifteen minutes to talk about the conditions of survival in endless business trips, business that does not depend on the state, the mentality of the Russian person and the four elements of happiness.









Irina, judging by your busy schedule, the demand for training is growing every year. In workshops, you will learn how to build a business while remaining free. Does the business approach contradict the Russian mentality?

The individual business approach is contradictory. The Russian person, his national character, is all built on paternalism: I graduated from university, then I was sent somewhere, then I am constantly patronized, found a job, and even if it is not promising, but stable. The market has been around for 20 years! And the market changes, and over time, business thinking emerges.

- On the company's 12th anniversary, you said you supported NL International because it's a business that doesn't depend on the state. Are there conditions in our country to develop such a business?

The market in Russia is wildly monopolized, and most of it is occupied by state corporations, which are not, in fact, pure business. After all, this is public money from the budget, so both risks and liability are less. If antimonopoly legislation worked in Russia, small business would be able to develop faster, it would be more modern and interesting. However, the process is slow but progressing. Especially through companies like yours.

Free business in Russia is possible, but, as they say, not “thanks”, but “despite”. Network marketing works optimally here. It works from hand to hand, from client to client. In this business, everything depends on the person himself: how he knows how to negotiate, how much he forms the right image and style, whether he “reads” the client correctly, understands his psychology. This is a specialist of the highest level who independently builds a clientele. This is a business that develops individual leadership qualities, makes you take risks, but at the same time learn new technologies, learn human nature, have feedback from the market.

- Network marketing is often said to be a premium service, a resale, but not a business. . .

It's business! It is no different than any retailer. Just the usual retail is when there is a boss, managers, sellers. Despite the absence of such a hierarchy and a Gazprom-style building, the network is a real business, from person to person, where everyone is a top manager.

- Can anyone be a top manager?

Maybe, of course. And if this understanding is not, then in your business a person can not be successful. This is horizontal democratic governance that came to us from America. And it is this system that meets the requirements of business in risky conditions. Now we have turbulence, unpredictability, and network business reacts most flexibly to the external environment.

- Why then is the network business so negatively treated in our country?

Because it all started with a well-known company that adopted the American model, but filled it with a bad product. Many have been deceived. And now this stereotype is very difficult to overcome. Everyone thinks: network marketing means that I will get stuffed again. It's hard, but it's also a challenge to deal with. Keep in mind that there is a barrier and negotiate in such a way as to overcome this barrier.

- In your book Aikido Business Negotiation, you teach how to negotiate effectively with a priori a stronger and more status-based rival. Are these techniques suitable for everyone? Or does everything change depending on whether I’m selling expensive cars, clothes or Energy Diet?

The laws of psychology are universal regardless of the type of product. If you want to be a good salesman, you have to be your customer. If he is a status, then you must show that you understand all the problems of status people as well as he himself. If it's a star, you're showing how good it is for stars to live with that product. If this is a simple person, not a star, not a status, not having a lot of money, you should look as simple as him, and talk about simple things: health, saving money, time. I drank a cocktail - and half a day free, otherwise it's potatoes, then vinaigrette - crazy! The money is spent and the weight increases. Why are we so fat? Let’s be like an aristocrat: thin and, most importantly, save money? It is necessary to respond in language and behavior to a person. Forget about yourself: you are mirroring the customer.

- Well, you can get lost. Today I am Tamara Ivanovna from the hairdresser’s shop, and tomorrow I am Ivan Petrovich, the owner of the company. . .

You won’t lose yourself if you know it’s a professional game. That's it! And if you adjust so that, like with a drug, you fly away and can not return back - then you need to leave the profession. If you run around with your “I”, then go to Gazprom, work there for 50 years and, perhaps, before you die, become a big boss.

To find the energy within you, you need to know whether you like what you do or not. If you like, then continue to do it as professionally as possible, all the time self-learning – not with the help of textbooks, but in practice: received feedback – corrected mistakes. If you don’t like your business at all and you’re only going to do it for money, it’s useless. Especially in your business. Because you can’t communicate with people and sell them goods if you’re a dull and lost person who is trying to make money. It won't work.

- In one of your interviews, you said that you have developed your formula for success. Tell me what it's made of.

I have four components: (1) I do what I like; (2) I do it professionally enough to make enough money to do the first; (3) I do it only among those I like; and (4) only for those I like.

- What if people you like don’t have money?

So I'm not doing business with them, I'm just going to the theater with them.

- For business, where do you find people who like it?

If you do your job professionally, then you will definitely find your target audience. Those who like it and have money for business. For example, your audience is in cities where people work very hard, want to be modern, in good physical shape, and are entangled in this endless variety and wild food. That’s what I do, I find my audience. Today, a person who wants to be successful in business must have an open mind, he must know not only his work and its technologies - he must understand what is happening in the country, the world, the economy, politics, culture, fashion. Then he'll sell anything. And few people teach it. Everyone teaches the technology of their business, but few teach the world. published

Date of interview: April 2013

Interviewed: Elena Chuiko



P.S. And remember, just by changing your consciousness – together we change the world!

Source: www.energydiethd.com/info/articles/43/