After researching online potential candidates to interview, the obvious choice was Shannon Ligon. Shannon Ligon is an entertainment attorney in Orlando, Florida. I chose Ms. Ligon because I noticed in her biography on her website that she is not only a law professional but an aspiring songwriter as well. I myself being an aspiring songwriter thought that we would share this common thread to make the meeting more relax. In addition, I am Full Sail University’s pre-law club president and this would be a great opportunity to network with an industry professional. Ligon received her undergraduate degree in Business Management from Florida State University and her Juris Doctorate from Florida A&M College of Law. Ligon’s got her start by interning for Clear Channel Radio and TriStar Sports & Entertainment Group. Shannon Ligon is the founder of Ligon Law Group (www.shannonligon.com).
The meeting took place in downtown Orlando, Florida in a two-story building that is the home of several law firms. After exchanging greetings, I politely asked her about her songwriting and what genre of music did she prefer. I told her that I am an aspiring songwriter and that was the meeting’s turning point. Ligon’s was sitting behind the desk so she had the power, but this affiliation put us both on equal playing fields. “We and our negotiating counterpart may both be coin collectors, which might bond us together; but if we never discover our common role, we obtain no emotional benefit” (Fisher & Shapiro, 2005 p. 54). Even though we were clearly not there to make a deal I still referenced this quote to show the common ground that we shared.
After discussing Ms. Ligon’s background and training, we moved on to questions about her career today. Ms. Ligons works with Cash Money Records artist Lil Wayne and Miami’s DJ Khaled. I ask her about negotiating during this economic climate that the United States is currently going through. She said that clients are more so now ready to settle if there is a dispute over money not being paid for services. In addition, she stated that clients could get more money for performances because they have bargaining power but some do not take her advice and take the first option. She said that this is very challenging to get a client to be patient and wait on the better deal. She stated that this is when you have to have a personality that can adjust and not take things personally even if you have worked on a deal very hard for the client. Ms. Ligon even recommended Fisher & Shapiro (2005) book that we are reading for class. Basically she was saying to not let emotions control your decisions because ultimately the decision is on the client and she is there to only offer advice.
One deal making technique that Ms. Ligon’s shared with me was that if its a huge money making deal that she is negotiating she brings along a colleague. If her colleague cannot make it in person, then she has the colleague call in on the deal and purposely puts them on speakerphone to give the impression that someone else is making a better offer to get the opposing side to make impulse decisions. I learn several things about myself during this interview. Things that I know will help me in the future during meetings.
I learn that anything is negotiable if you have the correct technique and have prepared for the meeting. Ms. Ligon’s said that most of her time is spent doing research and phone calls and it is well worth the effort when you get a client what they have ask for. I already knew networking is a powerful tool for success but I had no idea going into this meeting that I would be asked to work on a project with Ms. Ligon. Ms. Ligon’s project is to organize three benefit concerts in Orlando, Tampa and Miami to raise money for Haiti. Haiti really needs this help and I gladly accepted. I told her that I intern for the Daily Buzz television show and I would talk with the producers of the show to see about having the artist that are taking there time out to perform for free at these shows to have on as guest of the television show. She loved the idea and if this was an actual deal I know that this would give me more leverage for the opposing side wanting to work with me.
Finally, I learn that communication is key and a vital component to an agreement. Shannon Ligon is a great contact professionally and personally since I am considering law school. In addition, I get to work with her and her attorney colleagues on this benefit concert. This will be a great addition to my leadership portfolio. I already sent Ms. Ligon a thank you card and we have our first meeting about the benefit concert on Friday January 22, 2010.
No comments:
Post a Comment