Written by: Vickie Sullivan | February 07, 2023
How to Turn Opponents into Partners
Here’s an interesting collaboration: Airbnb is partnering with landlords to let renters host their apartments. What a great example of how opponents can collaborate!
Instead of creating a standoff, these two adversaries forged a new path that works for everyone.
Two lessons from their collaboration that will help you turn opponents into partners:
• Cut them in. The new arrangement allows landlords 20% of the rental fees. What makes this incentive even better: It’s totally passive revenue for the recipient. They don’t have to manage anything. You can offer similar revenue-sharing deals, too.
• Share the power. Landlords have legitimate concerns about damage, complaints, and noise. But being able to lay down rules and even review (and reject) listings goes beyond generalized assurances such as “if this happens, we’ll kick the host off the platform.” The processes give landlords a preemptive strike to protect their property and other tenants.
Listen: How to Approach Someone Who Sees You as a Threat
By combining less risk with pure profit, Airbnb now has a whole new market segment. Apartment renters can augment their income without getting evicted, and landlords get a cut of the money with less hassle. Everybody wins.
In this competitive environment, working with unlikely partners can create new opportunities. Maybe it’s time to think beyond the conflict and find ways to collaborate with those who wouldn’t usually work with us.
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