Thoughts and Insights by Michael Gregory

Here are six tips to make you an extremely successful negotiator

Here are six tips to make you an extremely successful negotiator. Essentially you need to manage your own emotions, develop trust, focus on interests, apply appreciation, make your message positive, and work towards positive closure. This article focuses on how to carry out each of these elements to make you an extremely successful negotiator. If you take these to heart and not only read the material by make a point to carry out these steps in a negotiation, you well be more successful.

How Do You Negotiate Closure in a Negotiation?

Closure is not an add on at the end.

Want to be an outstanding communicator? Close your mouth.

It sounds to easy, but really the best communicators know when to keep their mouths shut and really listen. Rather than trying to promote themselves, an idea or a position, they focus on truly trying to understand. Sometimes we simply need to be heard. Often times that is the best solution to simply listen to the other party and help them to sort out their solution.

This is how to overcome rivalry, competition, and tribalism in negotiations

In today’s world with deep seated divisions in Washington we don’t have to look far to see nightly news with antagonistic implications as examples of unhealthy competition and rivalries. This situation gives rise to unethical and unhealthy behaviors. This is bad for relationships and business transactions too. So, what should we do when hard ball tactics are applied in negotiations?

Overcome potential conflicts before the next economic downturn by building collaborative relationships now

The Harvard Business Review (HBR) is suggesting now is the time to plan for the next economic downturn. Leading economic indicators are pointing downward. When an economic downturn takes place and you are in the thick of it, you will need to focus on tactics and day to day operations.  Now is the time to plan, be proactive and collaborate with key stakeholders.

This is how to build trust in a negotiation

Trust is a two-way street. Trust can be built and trust can be earned. This article focuses on how you can both build trust and earn trust in a negotiation.

Negotiating a Covenant Not to Compete as an Employee

A tough negotiation between an employee and his or her employee can seem like a one-way negotiation when the employer says sign this.  After all the employer may approach the employee with a covenant not to compete as a take it or leave it situation. In this scenario the employee may feel that he or she has little choice.  The reality is that may be true on the one hand. On the other hand, there are a host of things to consider and ways to provide constructive feedback.  Some key negotiating topics for consideration are presented here for consideration.  This can be made into a win-win scenario when needs are addressed and each party listens to the concerns of the other.

Hot Tubing with the IRS in U.S. Tax Court on Valuation Cases

Over the last few years the U.S. Tax Court has been experimenting with “hot tubbing” experts [concurrent witness testimony] on cases so that the U.S. Tax Court Judge can informally sit with the experts and ask questions. The commentary that follows considers an application of The Collaboration Effect TM to this situation.

This is how to close a deal in a negotiation

The Collaboration Effect TM enhances relationships, resources and revenues. It incorporates connecting relationships, actively listening, judiciously educating and negotiating closure. This article focuses on negotiating closure.

Educate judiciously to take advantage of The Collaboration Effect

The Collaboration Effect TM enhances relationships, resources and revenues. It incorporates connecting relationships, actively listening, judiciously educating and negotiating closure.This article focuses on judiciously educating.