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Limited Authority Reponses

Limited Authority Reponses

“I would love to do the deal, but I just don’t have the authority.” I can’t count how many times I have heard this in a negotiation. It’s probably one of the most common statements in all negotiations. It’s also often a smart strategic move, especially if you...
Disadvantages of Taking a Break – Part Two

Disadvantages of Taking a Break – Part Two

The vote to depose Managing Partner Jessica Pearson of Pearson Hardman, the fictitious law firm in USA Network’s legal drama series Suits, was moments away. She was going to lose. But then star associate Mike Ross barged into the meeting, threw a folder onto the...
How to Raise Your Rates

How to Raise Your Rates

When I practiced law in the mid-1990s, my law firm sent out its new fee rates every January. And our clients basically just said “ok.” Our rates would go up a bit each year, and it was generally viewed as no big deal. With the incredibly competitive marketplace these...
Lessons Learned 2023 – Part One

Lessons Learned 2023 – Part One

Here’s part one of my annual list of lessons learned and a reminder to put these strategies into practice in 2024. You won’t get better results if you don’t implement them. Each also has a link to my column with more detail. Part two will be next week’s column. This...
Knowledge is Power

Knowledge is Power

I recently read mega movie star and former California Governor and Mr. Universe Arnold Schwarzenegger’s book “Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life.” Interestingly, I found a lot of negotiation nuggets in it, all of which were couched as life lessons. Of course, negotiation...
Momentum Matters in Negotiations

Momentum Matters in Negotiations

It appears some powerful momentum is currently being generated in the hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas. The first several hostages were released October 23. Then last week more were released each day of the 4-day negotiated “pause.” (For a good summary of...
The Power of Pattern Bargaining

The Power of Pattern Bargaining

I remember taking a labor history course in college years ago that opened my eyes to the hostile and contentious record of union-management negotiations going back to the advent and growth of unions in the late 19th and early 20th century. Violence was not that...
The Sports and Negotiation Relationship

The Sports and Negotiation Relationship

I’m a big sports fan. Phoenix Suns. Pro tennis and football. March Madness. Not a fanatic. But I really enjoy watching elite athletes compete. I also fully appreciate the behind-the-scenes element in sports, especially at the pro level. Other than these...