Given the pervasive use of e mail in business and in our lives in general, it is not surprising that a lot of disputes get settled via e mail. Indeed, there is a whole cottage industry including several web sites devoted to on-line dispute resolution.Consequently, a recent federal district court [Read More]
As my first blog of 2014, I would like to wish each of you a Happy New Year. May it bring you health, happiness, joy and prosperity.My wish is forward looking as it involves the year to come- 2014. Yet, an Op-Ed piece by Amy Summerville of Miami University posted [Read More]
As my first blog of 2014, I would like to wish each of you a Happy New Year. May it bring you health, happiness, joy and prosperity.My wish is forward looking as it involves the year to come- 2014. Yet, an Op-Ed piece by Amy Summerville of Miami University posted [Read More]
An often discussed theme in my blog has been preparation; that is, preparing for mediation, as opposed to "winging it." In previous posts, I have stressed (discussing a different reason each time) the importance of preparing for a negotiation/mediation and the dangers of "winging it."Well, as you might surmise, I [Read More]
Today is Black Friday and with it, comes lots of shopping and negotiating for good buys. So... when is the best time to negotiate the best deal? Well, according to a study published about a month ago, people tend to be more honest and more ethical in the morning.A small [Read More]
I am a dog lover; so any story about dogs catches my eye, and I will find a way to relate it to negotiation/mediation. Here is my latest.Recently, The Economist (November 2, 2013) and other news organizations reported on a study by Giorgio Vallortigara, Marcello Siniscalchi, Rita Lusito and Angelo [Read More]
A few months ago, I attended a board of directors meeting of the SCMA Education Foundation. At the meeting, the president started talking about "S.W.O.T. Analysis". Not having majored in business, I had no clue to what she was referencing.I have since learned; S. W.O.T. stands for "Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities [Read More]
Let us suppose that you are an attorney representing a client at a mediation. The following occurs:Your clients, the defendants, have told you that you are authorizedto pay $750,000 to settle the case. In settlement negotiations, after your offer of $650,000, the plaintiff's attorney asks "Are you authorized to settle [Read More]
