The Better Conflicts Audio Experience

What do you do when parties feel they have nothing to lose?

This #askanegotiator question comes from a Practice Support Lawyer at a London law firm.

The question can be interpreted in a number of ways.

Is it about a party who has lost everything already? Is it that the party feels so powerful they feel they are bound to win? Or perhaps refers to a party that is parking any thought of loss because this is a matter of principle and they won't compromise?

Regardless of how you interpret it, the core component of the question is around 'loss'.

When it comes to getting what you want in a negotiation, 'loss' is a powerful force for influence and persuasion.

Why and how do you use it?

Listen to our podcast to find out.

What is the 20% that is going to deliver 80% of the results in your negotiation?

It's not surprising that this #askanegotiator question was submitted by a Sales and Marketing Director.

The 80/20 principle is commonly used in business to focus efforts and resources on that which will deliver maximum results.

We all want to be effective and efficient in everything we do.

So, can this principle be applied to negotiation? That fundamental life skill we use all the time?

We don't think it has been attempted before, but Philip Williams, former Hostage and Crisis Negotiator gives it a go.

Listen to our podcast to find out the rest...

Are you enjoying this series? Perhaps you've agreed or disagreed with Philip on some of his answers? Has any of the advice helped you? Would you like to submit a question of your own?

If so, contact the podcast host Ben here.

s a Hostage and Crisis Negotiator, Philip Williams was regularly called in to save lives. On far more occasions than not, he did.

But, what about when he couldn't. What then? This is the question that was posed by one of our listeners to Philip:

Success often hinges on how well we respond to adversity. When we are tired, anxious, stressed, angry or sad.

That's why this is such a good question. So, what can you learn about handling extreme adversity in your negotiations from a Hostage and Crisis Negotiator?

The litmus test for Philip...

It's three o'clock in the morning, he's been called to the top of a building in the pouring rain and is confronted with a man threatening to jump ...

You can confidentially submit your question for Philip to tackle by emailing Ben at [email protected].

Have you ever felt powerless in a negotiation?

Or felt like you were backed into a corner and had no choice other than to accept what the other side was proposing?

It can leave you feeling dejected and angry as well as being on the blunt end of a bad deal.

Our experience of working with people all over the world tells us this is sadly quite a common ordeal.

This is why we chose to tackle it in the latest episode in our #askanegotiator podcast series.

Philip Williams, a former Hostage and Crisis Negotiator faced many situations, where, on the face of it, you would think he had no choice - to give in and give the terrorists what they want.

He shares how you can start to reclaim control in your negotiations and achieve more mutually beneficial outcomes.

You can confidentially submit your question for Philip to tackle by emailing Ben at [email protected].

What is the Anatomy of a Good Negotiator?

This is the first question that Philip Williams, Hostage and Crisis Negotiator and CEDR Trainer tackled in our #askanegotiator podcast series.

The skills and insights Philip shares in this series are exactly those that he used to save lives in some of the most challenging situations, from armed sieges and international hostage-taking to engaging with people on the brink of committing suicide and negotiating peaceful resolutions with terrorists.

Having also worked in the commercial world, Philip believes these same skills can help people save business relationships, personal reputations and in some cases entire organisations.

The #askanegotiator podcast series is all about answering the questions on negotiation you want answering. It doesn't matter if it is theoretical, a specific situation or a skill you would like help with, we'd love to put your challenge to Philip.

If you would like to confidentially submit a topic for Philip to tackle, contact Ben at [email protected].

In our third podcast on Investor-State Mediation, James South (Managing Director, CEDR) interviews Meg Kinnear (Secretary-General, ICSID) about the continuing progress mediation is making in the field of Investor-State Dispute Resolution.

James and Meg Discuss:

Investor-State Mediation is one of the newest and most interesting frontiers in international dispute resolution.

In this podcast, James South (Managing Director, CEDR) and Frauke Nitschke (Senior Legal Counsel, ICSID) look at the framework for the development of Investor-State Mediation as well as four key factors integral to it becoming widely adopted:

Investor-State Mediation is a growth area in international dispute resolution and one that CEDR has been at the forefront of developing alongside International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and The International Energy Charter.

Wolf von Kumberg, International Arbitrator & CEDR Mediator gives an overview of Investor-State Mediation, including:

Ben Thomson spoke to Malcolm Currie, one of the newest members of the CEDR Training Faculty about his varied and interesting career which includes complex Trade Union Negotiations and coaching rugby referees.

Malcolm offers insights into how to achieve success in complex negotiations and what negotiators can learn from refereeing high level rugby.

International Mediation is both challenging and rewarding and comes with specific considerations for those involved.  

At CEDR, we believe that conflict can be a force for good, provided it is managed and resolved properly. 

In this #betterconflicts podcast, James South spoke to Eileen Carroll about her experience of mediating international cases and how she works with the parties and the mediation process to achieve the best outcomes.