Manipulation

The use of manipulation is a very old technique on how to push others in the direction you desire. Over the centuries we have developed a dozen types of various manipulation techniques, it might be a use of  bribery (pure monetary or in the form of goods), a better and more effective way up on the social ladder, a more personal attribute of power or a promise of a future income based on the extra non business activities undertaken at the bequest of another.

Manipulation may be seen in business more often aside of a promotion or public relations slogans exists a huge room for manipulations. The modern companies created and developed thousand of products. The industrial cycle is based on fulfilment of the needs (material or non-material). If there is a need to keep food fresh you should buy a refrigerator.  If there is a need to commute on the railway train systems, cars and planes provide transportation systems were invented and put into life to satisfy those needs. Every country of the world is trying to settle the needs and requirements of their population. Manipulation is used by the form of marketing campaigns by companies to assure you which products are the best ones. Manipulation is also hidden behind the masks of independent advisors or journalists.

If the community or society around you are adoring some specific kind of product than you as an individual are manipulated to buying the same product as the others. For example, some specific types of jeans might be selected for a narrowly focused population. In the world exists hundreds of jeans manufacturers but media can manipulate the potential consumers by using easy to remember slogans like “waitresses wearing Levi’s 501 are getting more tips” or something similar. People might remember and they would be inspired by that slogan and manipulated by the social or sexual symbols they want to be associated with, sometimes it easier to fit in than to be seen as different or difficult.

Another type of worldwide manipulation is the political propaganda. States are often creating the bright and shinning picture of themselves based on the idealistic political propaganda. Some countries are willing to pay enormous amounts of money to present such ideal pictures in front of millions of CNN viewers every day. This is not pure marketing only because this is not a presentation of some concrete product or service but a whole country. The hidden message is the following: please make sure even our country exists and take it into consideration when planning your next business expansion or investment. The CNN viewers are manipulated by absolute amazing visual presentations showing the historical heritage and the bright future of presented country with the obvious money values.

Another practical example of how countries all around the world can use the manipulation is in voting. There are huge political and marketing tools behind these exercises. Especially predictions made by structured and carefully selected sample group of voters. Based on the predictive data models the advisors can change the attitude towards the specific group of voters by specialised campaigns and marketing information.

In a corporate business many manipulation techniques are used. The takeover by one company with the similar or same products can be made on to appear like it is a fore gone conclusion this is also part of the manipulation of both companies during a merger or acquisition. In such a situation the Board of Directors can make decision based on more emotional and less logic decisions. Companies can make the joint-ventures in case they are uniting against another competitors. In this case there are “nice-to-have” arguments than a special situation may occur. The company might have to buy another company. It is officially announced to the public and it may affect the price of the shares. The second step is to fully incorporate the newly acquired company into the system and reporting lines. For these reasons is advantage if both companies are similar in size and number of employees. Than it continues in a way of million of corrective steps and procedures trying to merge two incompatible companies. Such joint ventures  or buy outs which are based on irrational reasons without the cold-blood analysis will have a negative effect in the future.

People as individuals or as groups might be manipulated by promises or irrational expectations. Sex, power, influence are the most frequent vehicles for ordinary manipulation. Manipulation is normally used when two negotiating sides are in-equal. Equal sides can negotiate and agree on win-win solutions. But because one side is not having enough power, resources or stability than they feel they have to tried to manipulate the other side. Such kind of manipulation has a form of hidden promises, secret arrangements or secret cash settlements.

Manipulation is not just a carrot and stick. It has many forms and people should learn to recognize it and be aware of it. Children should learn on selected examples how to avoid manipulation because the reason is to protect their inner freedom of mind.

All decisions a human should take must be based on rational and logical arguments. In these case they are replaced by irrational or emotions then the danger of manipulation is very high. The problem is that people often like to be seen in the better light and they act in the way as they think they are expected. And this is a triggering for possible manipulation.