Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is honored to have as our guest Elaina Zuker, author, businesswoman, educator and consultant. Elaina has held executive positions in publishing, higher education and communications. As a keynote speaker, she has addressed meetings and conferences in industry, government and professional associations.

Her newest book, The Seven Secrets of Influence (McGraw-Hill) was the recent main selection for the Business Week Book Club and has been translated into four languages. Elaina is also the author of Mastering Assertiveness Skills, The Assertive Manager, Career Success Series and the Day Timers Success Tapes.  She has been featured on numerous radio and television talk shows and in many newspaper articles.

Elaina holds a B.A. in Psychology, an M.A. in Management/Organizational Development and is the 2004 recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award from New York Polytechnic University.

Good day Elaina and thanks for participating in our interview

Norm: 

I noticed in reading over your bio that you are interested in such topics as assertive and influence skills, secrets of Influence, and Influence for Personal Power in Changing Times. When and why did you become interested in these topics?

Elaina:

I have a background in Psychology (M.A. from New York University) and a career history in Sales and Sales Management.  It seemed like a great fit of these two major interests – to help others understand how people buy, decide and influence.

Norm:

Could you tell our readers something about your most recent book, The Seven Secrets of Influence (McGraw-Hill) and what motivated you to write the book?

Elaina: 

The book was first published in 1992 by McGraw Hill in New York, has been translated into 5 languages, issued in paperback, and in other versions by Thomson and other publishers.  It has sold 150,000 copies.  It was recently published in India by Penguin India.

Although McGraw Hill was the original publisher, I now own all the publishing rights.  I am currently in negotiation with a publisher in Japan. 

At the time I was running a consulting and training business in New York City -I was motivated to write the book so that I could share my unique theory and practical applications with more people.  Also, being a published author is a great way to validate one’s credibility in the business field, and establish oneself as an authority on the topic, to say nothing about upping one’s value (fees) in the marketplace.

Norm:

How does your recent book differ from others dealing with the same topic and whom do you believe will benefit from your book and why?

Elaina:

It’s different because it’s based on my own unique theory of “Influence”, based on using the “Secrets of Influence ™” Inventory, and then offering specific practical techniques to assist people in improving their Influence skills.
Almost anyone can benefit:  if you are selling, buying, negotiating, which we all do in life.  You may not even be in the business world, but you may have to negotiate with trades people, buying a home, or a car.

Norm:

What challenges or obstacles did you encounter while writing your books? How did you overcome these challenges?

Elaina: 

Mostly, the challenges were time – I was running a very hectic business at the time I was writing it.  It was very difficult to find the hours needed to focus.  Also, since I had been teaching these ideas for so many years, it was a challenge to break it down and simplify it for the reader.

Overcome them?  Just get myself in the chair and DO IT.

Norm:

What has been the best part about being a published author and what's the most difficult thing for you about being a writer?

Elaina:

Best part is getting respect, recognition and satisfaction when people tell me they learned a lot from reading the book – or it changed their attitude or behaviour, or helped them become more successful. Royalties are nice, too.

Norm:

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books? Are they based on your own experiences?

Elaina: 

I think I explained this in an earlier question – yes, my theory (which is now a valid, reliable, psychological theory) was originally based on my 25 years experience in sales and sales management in the U.S. and Canada

Norm:

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

Elaina:

I usually offer the book as part of the seminar we teach  - so we get instant feedback from the  participants/readers.  Usually, they say they like the simplicity of the ideas, how I’ve taken concepts which could be complex, and have made them “user-friendly”.

Norm: 

Are you working on any books/projects that you would like to share with us? (We would love to hear all about them!)

Elaina: 

Right now I’m working on developing  my seminar “Secrets of Influence ™”  nationwide, via a network of  licensees in  different market  areas. Plus, I’ve developed a new fragrance, trademarked “INFLUENCE ™” and  am looking for a large company to partner with.

Norm:

Is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?

Elaina:

I don’t think so.  Thanks so much for your good questions.

You can find out more about me and my books on my WEBSITE

 
Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors