Improve Your Negotiations With The 5 Golden Rules.   LEARN THEM

Players vs. Owners – What Approach?

In a recent New York Times article about the just-starting labor negotiation between the NBA owners and players, David Falk, the NBA’s first superagent, said “This is not the time to fight. This is a time to sit down as partners and create a system that is...

Selig’s Threat

Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig recently threatened to invoke his “best interests” power to compel creditors of the Texas Rangers to accept an estimated $575 million bid for the team by a group which includes Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan.  Some...

The Nibbler

In his New York Times business blog, Paul Downs tells about concluding a deal with a foreign client. This excerpt caught my eye: “I finally figured out that the only way to stop them from asking for more was to flat out refuse any more concessions, with vigor. Head...

Chicago strikes while the iron is hot

The New York Times reported yesterday that the headquarters for the airline resulting from the proposed merger of United and Continental will be in Chicago.  This decision comes close on the heals of Chicago’s successful wooing away of both United’s corporate offices...

NHL Takes Steps to Strengthen Its Leverage

“NHL preps for renegotiation deals” reads The Hollywood Reporter headline, referring to the NHL’s upcoming negotiations with its advertisers.  The NHL “is expanding its digital media strategy and big event programming lineup to make pro hockey more appealing to...

Quantify the Issues

In his Harvard Business Review blog entry, How to Size Up a Negotiation, venture capitalist Anthony Tjan states that negotiators should “quantify the value of each negotiation point and of the negotiation in its entirety.” I couldn’t agree more.  My First Golden Rule...

Papandreou’s Threat

Bloomberg.com reported today that Greek Prime Minister Papandreou “set a one-week deadline for the European Union to craft a financial aid mechanism for Greece.” If not met, Papandreou threatened to turn to the IMF for emergency funding. Greece needs to...

Saving Face

The CNN.com headline “Both sides claim victory in BA [British Airways] strike” caught my eye yesterday.  It illustrates the importance of both sides being able to “save face” in a negotiation. One closing strategy I suggest to accomplish this...

New Suitor for Jones Soda

CNNMoney.com recently reported that Jones Soda terminated an exclusivity agreement with potential purchaser, Reed’s, “to explore an unsolicited proposal sent by a second suitor.” Jones Soda previously announced plans to be acquired by Reed’s...