Business deal basics

1. The goal of a win/win result, defined as such by all parties
2. The skill of understanding the position of all the parties
3. A keen appreciation for the relative value which each party brings to the equation
4. The use of reliable, authoritative resources
5. An “I may not know it all” attitude
6. The willingness to have “facts” challenged
7. Finely tuned listening skills
8. Consideration of all points of view
9. Impeccable integrity
10. Transparency and honesty
11. Keen analytical faculties and good judgment
12. A mature sense of fairness
13. Compliance with high legal, ethical and moral standards
14. Clarity of both oral and written communication
15. Timely replies/responses in the exchange of information
16. The ability to “disagree agreeably”
17. Humble acceptance of the required modification of one’s position
18. Patience to do it right the first time so it doesn’t have to be done over
19. Equitable compromise without the sacrifice of principles
20. A long-term perspective which looks beyond the near-term benefits
21. Respect, respect, respect

[Copyright and thanks to Wilson "Bill" Katter. Via David Maister]

Comments

[Josie Fraser]

Thanks for posting this. It's a good, comprehensive list. Achieving the win-win result is key to moving forward amicably, and in many cases, moving forward at all. I've spent a lot of time this last year trying to secure multi-stakeholder confidence/agreement and it isn't good enough to reach a bare compromise: you have to put a huge about of thought and effort into creative solutions which can be understood as significant more beneficial to everyone than their fall back position.