Persuasion is a powerful tool, especially when the stakes are high.

Exhibit A: Convincing a group as diverse and influential — and unpredictable — as more than 100 International Olympic Committee members may be the most critical factor in determining which city will be selected to host the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Tokyo, Madrid and Istanbul are the finalists, and in the next 14 months much work will be done to make a positive impression to the IOC and promote the stellar aspects of each of those bids.