My First Million
The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.
Steel Negotiation Model
A framework that replaces 50/50 compromise with finding the optimal blend of ideas, like steel being 2% carbon and 98% iron to create maximum strength
How It Works
Recognizes that the best solutions often come from asymmetric combinations where one element provides the structure and another provides the critical enhancement
Components
Identify what each party brings to the table
Determine which elements are structural (high percentage) vs enhancement (low percentage)
Test different blend ratios for maximum combined value
Focus on strength of outcome rather than equality of input
Validate that both parties see the superior result
When to Use
Complex negotiations where both parties have valuable but different contributions, and when long-term strength matters more than perceived fairness
When Not to Use
Simple transactional negotiations, situations requiring quick resolution, or when parties are equally stubborn about equal representation
Anti-Patterns to Avoid
Example
“A tech startup and enterprise client are negotiating a partnership. Instead of splitting marketing efforts 50/50, they realize the startup should handle 98% of product innovation while the enterprise contributes 2% strategic guidance. This 'steel blend' creates a much stronger product than equal contribution would.”