Brexit may not appeal to everyone, but it should get the attention of any business negotiator. Imagine the most difficult negotiation UK has ever faced in its history and a complex web of agreements with EU for 45 years, which now needs to be unraveled. By any standard, Brexit is a political nightmare, which will certainly benefit the lawyers who are lucky enough to gain a seat at the negotiating table...

Caught by surprise, the UK has been in a situation where its trade benefits with the European Union can be lost. The consequences may be devastating as British goods and services may become less competitive as a result of higher tariffs imposed on them. Corporations established in the UK might move elsewhere to obtain the benefits of the EU market. Some products, such as medicine, may become difficult to find, houses prices could fall, Scotland may want to remain in the EU...The challenge for the British prime minister and his team is huge...

A crisis like that of Covid-19 triggers a stream of challenging negotiations and re-negotiations. They are a challenge because:

⚠️ Stakes are high

⚠️ Discussions are often emotionally charged

⚠️ Situations are complex (multiple stakeholders and/or other factors)

⚠️ Stress can lead to risky decisions

Based on my experience, the following reduces chances of deadlocks and disputes, and increases chances of positive outcomes…

Like the traveling gnome in Amelie from Montmartre, The Master Key has gone on a trip around the world. Readers are invited to take pictures with the book with half their face in front of a famous buildings or an iconic scenery. The book cover title shall be visible.

We invite you to share these pictures on social media, tag the author, and use the #MasterKeyBook hashtag.

By sharing these pictures, you are given a chance to participate in The Master Key Contest and win great prizes.

Anger is very much present in negotiation and often gets in the way of successful outcomes.

We all experience anger when negotiating. It may come gradually or suddenly. Our blood pressure increases. Our body temperature rises and our face reddens.

Some negotiators use anger as a negotiation tactic. They show cold or hot anger from the start or change their mood along the way to force a counterpart to give in to something. If that anger is faked or exaggerated, the deception is obvious.

Some negotiators just don’t have the ability to cope with their own anger. It could just erupt every time they are triggered. And some can be very good at pushing other people’s buttons or testing their boundaries.

To be able to have the world’s top 10 champagne houses in a room together halfway across the globe is a tough feat. As natural rivals, their gathering at Singapour Fête le Champagne is a triumph of organisation by Ludovic Tendron and his team. The houses do not simply show up for the gala dinner, but each arrives with its brand ambassadors and prestige cuvées, all prepared with a Dionysian zeal to celebrate champagne together during the night to come.