Negotiation Columns & Blogs

As we put 2020 in our rearview mirror, here’s my annual list of lessons learned and a reminder to put these strategies into practice in 2021. You won't get better results unless you implement them. Each guiding principle also has a link to my column with more detail....

My 15-year-old son recently said “everyone just wants more money” in salary. I disagreed. In fact, I told him, millions of people accept jobs that pay less in order to get more in non-financial benefits, like job satisfaction, time off, flex time, job security,...

Do "Nice Guys" actually have an advantage in negotiations? It's commonly thought that cut-throat, dog-eat-dog negotiators win, but what's the truth? I was nervous when I started Harvard Law School in 1989. I had heard what they told incoming students there for years -...

“President Trump was elected because he is an outstanding negotiator,” said White House spokesman Brian Morgenstern recently regarding the recent stimulus negotiations.  He may have been elected in part due to this perception, but he is perhaps the worst presidential...

The murder of George Floyd in my hometown of Minneapolis - which I always considered a bastion of tolerance - “Minnesota nice,” right? - recently led to an interesting discussion I had about racial discrimination with a female lawyer friend who grew up in rural...

You have a Zoom video negotiation scheduled with a potential new customer. You bid the job a month ago, and you’re a finalist. You wanted to fly to New York to meet in person, but you would have been quarantined as the virus recently spiked in your state. Zoom video...

“I want to know HOW we negotiate differently on Zoom and what specialized strategies and tactics I should use in this new environment,” this training attendee asked via chat in a recent webinar on a related subject.  We’ve been negotiating forever in person and for...

In today’s environment, discussing business over a meal is no longer an option. Many might find themselves invited to a Zoom or video meeting for the first time. When in-person negotiations are not an option, taking the time to plan your communication strategy can help you get the best results.

Strategies for Negotiating in a CrisisOur tax accountant offered to extend his payment terms to us as he knew our business - which relies in part on in person training - would take a short-term cash flow hit during the stay-at-home part of our current coronavirus...

Fighting Sexism in Negotiations “He called me ‘honey’ and ‘sweetie’ during our negotiation and it offended me. I have practiced law for a number of years, and I felt like he was diminishing me, my professionalism and my experience. On the other hand, he was elderly...

Incorporate these lessons into your strategic negotiation plans in 2020. Let’s recommit to not just knowing and using them. Better results will follow.