Happy Holidays

My grandsons, Jack (3) on the left and Gage (1) on the right
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year






Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of ten book awards
Best National Book Award, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

Book Review in Ghanian Journal

Review of How to Negotiate Like a Pro

Author: Mary Greenwood

Everyone finds themselves in a situation they need to negotiate their way out of. For some it is more often than with others.

Right from childhood when you had to negotiate with your parents about letting you attend a friend’s party they weren’t comfortable with, to workplace negotiations with the boss about a pay rise or promotion, or even with a stubborn spouse on matters of family and love. A sale bargain or a hotel you think didn’t give you good service and they need compensate. Sounds familiar? Mary Greenwood’s ‘How to Negotiate Like a Pro’ offers a good guide on how to win in negotiations.

Simply written, quoting relevant examples readers can identify with, the book discusses various rules for resolving disputes. While it is laden with tips on winning in professional negotiations, others like disputes with a boss, a spouse (or ex-spouse), other family members, banks, credit card companies, hotels or restaurants, buyers or sellers among others are also highlighted. Face to face, telephone or email – the rules are there.

You need to prepare psychologically before a negotiation. That is key. Emotions such as anger and tantrums are a no no – unless as an extreme tactic; a last resort where all else have failed. But even so, a tantrum or anger has to be stage managed, and a reader needs to read and understand the approach, because this is a sensitive one. Angry and upset that all is not going well? Focus on what you hope to accomplish and tell yourself that nothing is going to stand in the way of that goal, the book advises.

Know exactly what it is you want, as well as what the other side wants. Know also what you are willing to give up getting what you want. Make sure you’ve done your research, because you don’t want to risk quoting information and figures out of context.

What if it is clear you are headed for a deadlock? That is why you should have had a backup plan in the first place, or alternatives that will help seal the deal.

The book helps you deal with someone who is unreasonable and gives you a clear picture of what to expect in such situations. There are also ways to read what the other side is thinking. The author has also given scripts and words (at the end of each rule) the reader can use verbatim, when faced with various queries. Setting ground rules before commencing any critical negotiation will save time and pain.

Did you know negotiating is an art? For instance, make sure when coming into the room for the first time you look the part. Also set the tone for the negotiation. If you are hopelessly deadlocked, it helps to break the impasse. Extreme tactics are provided for you (when the negotiations are taking too long or don’t look too good) to use, or recognise them when used against you.

It can be frustrating and tiring when negotiations go on and on. Read also when and how to close the deal. What happens when negotiations fail? You might want to try mediation or arbitration.

You will love to read this book because it is so simple – and relevant. At the end of it, you lack an excuse for not negotiating like a professional.





Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

Layaway for the Holidays

Layaway is here again this year. Last year Sears and K-Mart brought back layaway, and now for the 2009 holidays, many other companies have joined in such as Walmart (jewelery only), Costco, Target, TJ Max, Toys-R-Us and Babies-R-Us (bikes, televisions, strollers)especially for high ticket items.

In case you don't remember layaway from your childhood, layaway is a way to purchase an item without paying the full price upfront. Instead of taking the item home and paying with a credit card or some other installment plan, the customer does not take the item home until all payments are completed. The customer pays a non-refundable fee upfront and has a payment plan to pay the amount due. It the customer does not pay all the installments, generally, the customer still gets a refund of payments made minus the nonrefundable fee and the item goes back on the shelf.

Layaway goes way back. People bought farm equipment and sewing machines on layaway. It was also popular after the Great Depression in the 1920's and 1930's. Some stores continued the tradition, but it had lost favor, probably because we have become a nation of people who want instant gratification and don't want to wait to actually get the item to take home. They would rather just use a credit card and get it over with.

But Layaway has made a comeback. Because so many holiday buyers are cash-strapped and can't get credit cards, many stores are bringing the concept of layaway back and many people are discovering it again. There are even some modern twists to it. There are now websites like elayaway.com where you can pick out your item, sign up for a layaway plan, and when you are finished paying, your item will be sent to you.

What are the pros and cons of the layaway system?

Advantages:

1. You can reserve an item that may go out of stock such as popular Christmas toys.
2. You can avoid high credit card interest.
3. You won't have that holiday hangover with big payments after the holidays.
4. If you change your mind and don't pay all installments, you get your money back, minus fees.
5. You can shop early, but pay later.

Disadvantages:

1. Even with layaway, you still might not be able to really afford the item.
2. There is delayed gratification; this is more important to some than others.
3. If you pay your installments by credit card, you may still have high interest payments.
4. Maybe you could have gotten the item cheaper with post-holiday sales.

As in any transaction, Let the Buyer Beware.
Ask yourself these questions:

1. With the present economy, can I really afford this item?
2. Can I get it cheaper elsewhere?
3. Can I wait and pay in full and not incur any fees?
4. Will I really get my money back if I don't make all the payments? Check the fine print on anything you sign.
5. Are you paying installments on credit cards and defeating the purpose of the layaway?
6. How much are the fees? Can I afford to lose them?

If used wisely, layaway can be a viable alternative for holiday shopping.


Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

How To Negotiate With Your Family During the Holidays



Ever notice that when you get together with your family for the holidays that the same arguments and resentments bubble up through the good cheer year after year. Despite your best efforts not to let your siblings' comments bother you, you end up playing the same role in your family that you had in junior high. Here are some tips for getting along with your family this holiday season.

1. Concentrate on having a great holiday and don't get distracted by your emotions.

During this stressful holiday season, it is important to check your emotions at the door. Emotions such as anger or resentments lead to lack of control. You need to get past this stage if you are going to have a happy holiday. If you are the one who is angry or upset, you need to concentrate on what you what to accomplish (such as no scenes or confrontations) and not let anything stand in your way. It does not matter if you don't like a member of your family. Even if someone is rude, insulting, or even baiting you, don't give him or her the satisfaction that he or she has gotten to you.

2. Look Forward Not Back. The Past Is Called The Past For A Reason.

Don't try to settle old scores during the holidays. Remember your goal is to get through the holidays without any flare-ups. Even if one of your siblings did something to you in the past that still makes you mad, get beyond that and try to live in the moment and be happy. No matter how sophisticated and worldly we have become, somehow those same roles we had in high school show through and the same old pecking order manifests itself. In this situation, déjà vu is not a good thing.

3. Be Willing To apologize.

If you are estranged from a relative, maybe this is the year you will make the first move to reconcile. Be prepared to shoulder some of the blame even if you don't remember what the original argument was. Don't say, "I did not do anything wrong." or "It is against my principles to apologize!" That is beside the point. When considering whether to make the first move, keep in mind that people do make mistakes. Also consider that your first move may be rejected and don't be upset by that. At least you know that you made the effort and tried to take the high ground. A sincere apology, and I mean sincere, can go a long way.

4. Beware And Be Aware.

Be aware and don't let your guard down. Even if you think the holidays are going smoothly, don't be lulled into complacency. Be careful what you say and how you say it. One well-placed comment or zinger by you or someone else can spoil the whole holiday mood. Be alert to others' feelings. It is only a couple of days and you can get through it.

5.Be Thankful.

Be thankful for being able to share the holidays with your family. Remember that some of them may not be around next year or the year after and those very maddening habits you dislike now, you might even miss when they are gone. Try to remember all the good things and accentuate the positive. As my mother says, "If you can't say something nice, don't say something at all." Try saying something nice and see where it takes you. Happy Holidays.



Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of ten book awards
Best National Book Award Winner, Law Category
Pinnacle Book Award Winner, How To Category
Winner, How To Category, Readers View Book Awards
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Award
Spirit Award, South Florida Writers Association
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Negotiate Like A Pro
Winner if six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, E-Book and Self-Help Category, New York Book Festival
Finalist Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival

Best National Book Award, Law Category

Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

How To Mediate Like A Pro and How To Negotiate Like A Pro Published by Macmillan India Publishers

Macmillan Publishers India has just published both of my books, How To Mediate Like A Pro and How To Negotiate Like A Pro.

The Vision of the Publishing Company is the following:
“To contribute towards the upliftment of education in India and to provide highest quality education materials” Rajiv Beri
Managing Director.

HISTORY
Two brothers Daniel and Alexander Macmillan founded Macmillan in England in 1843. They started publishing the works of great authors and writers. As the company grew, an ambitious expansion programme was initiated in the late 1960s when Harold Macmillan retired from politics after his spell as Prime Minister of England and became chairman of the company.

Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck GmbH, a large media group created in 1971, whose headquarters are in Stuttgart, owns the Macmillan group.

Macmillan has been operating in India since 1892. It is amongst the oldest publishing companies in the country and has provided high-quality educational books to generations of Indians.

Macmillan is one of the largest and best-known publishers in the world. It is characterised by high-quality academic, educational, fiction and non-fiction publishing in many forms: educational course materials, science, technology and medicine, college textbooks, dictionaries, monographs and reference materials. A unique player in India’s education market, Macmillan Publishers India enjoys a cutting-edge niche as partner-in-progress in the socio-economic development of the country. It is in this field that Macmillan's flame burns the brightest – publishing educational books and materials for over 100 years.



Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

How To Negotiate Like A Pro: Questions to Ask To Get A Good Deal

In this economy everyone wants to negotiate or haggle for the best deal. I have compiled a list of questions to ask when you are trying to negotiate a better price or deal. If one of these questions does not elicit any response, try another. Be persistent.

Here are the questions:

1. What is the best you can do?

Sometimes there is usually what I call "wiggleroom" built-in on the price of the item. It does not hurt to ask even in places where you don't think you can get a discount.

2. Is this the lowest price?

This sounds like question 1 but is a little different. If one does not work, try this question to see if you get a response.

3. What is the lowest price if I buy 2?, 5? or 10?

Try buying in bulk. This can make a big difference.

4. What if I pick up the item?

This can save them considerable expense especially if free shipping is offered.

5. Can you give me a discount since it is chipped, damaged, or a floor model?

Often a damaged item is very hard to sell so a seller may be glad to get this sold even at a reduced price.

6. Since you are already in the neighborhood, can you mow my lawn, too?

Seize on an opportunity if a worker that you need is already doing a similar job in the neighborhood. The convenience may allow the seller to give you a large discount. Remember time is money if he is already in the neighborhood.

7. Are you willing to barter?

I am a carpenter, massage therapist, piano teacher, and I am willing to trade my services for yours.

8. Are you willing to do a trade?

I will give you this if you give me that.

9. Is there going to be a sale? Is this on sale?

If there is going to be a sale in the near future, the seller may give you the sales price now or allow you to come back with your receipts during the sale and get the discount then.

10. Why don't you give me a discount and you won't have to carry this heavy item home?

Especially at the end of the day at an antiques fair, where the packing up can me a hastle, it might be an attractive offer to sell an item today and not have to keep shlepping it.

11. Can you give me an upgrade?

If you get bad service, especialy in a hotel or with the airlines, ask for an upgrade or free stay or flight. Some companies are really into customer service and may give you something for your inconvenience. Even if you didn't get bad service, explain that you have special needs and ask for them to help you.

12. Can I have a free refill or a free sampler?

Once you are in a restaurant, ask for a free refill for your drink. Ask for a free dessert sample. Ask for three for the price of two.

13. Can you throw something extra into the deal?

If you are getting a high ticket item, ask for something else to be thrown in. For example if you get a sofa, ask for some free pillows. If you get the expensive necklace, ask for the earrings free. You get the idea.

14. Do you do layaway?

Layaway is something that people may consider very archaic, something that is no longer fashionable. However, layaway may be the new credit card. It is a way to get something you want but can't pay for at this time without paying any interest fees. Generally a fee is paid to hold the item. Even if not advertised, ask for it anyway.

Once you start thinking about getting a better deal, the questions are endless. Don't give up. Keeping trying.




Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

More Bookstore Pictures Mary Autographing Books

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Photographs courtesy of Anita Trezvant,
owner of Hope Gallery, 435 Hope St.








Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

How to Negotiate Anything Talk at A Novel Idea Bookstore in Bristol, RI

Here is a picture of the talk at A Novel Idea, a wonderful independent bookstore in Bristol, Rhode Island.



Photograph courtesy of Anita Trezvant,
owner of Hope Gallery, 435 Hope St



Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

Greenwood speaking July 16th at Bristol Rhode Island bookstore, A Novel Idea

Meet Mary Greenwood

Thursday July 16th 6-8 pm

“How To Negotiate Like A Pro”

Join us for an evening of learning how to negotiate anything, anytime, anywhere! Everyone encounters countless situations where they can negotiate. Whether it’s with your spouse, a realtor, hotel, or a boss, having the skills to negotiate will make the most of these opportunities. With the right preparation and approach, negotiating will become second nature!

About the Author – Mary Greenwood is the Assistant Vice President Human Resources Labor and Employment Counsel for Roger Williams University. She has also written How To Mediate Like A Pro. Her books have won 16 book awards. She lives in Bristol with her Boston Terrier, Betty

A “Novel Idea” Ltd. Booksellers
450 Hope St. Bristol
401-396-9360
Complimentary beverages and light fare will be served


Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

Here is the article that appeared in the iUniverse Newsletter today.


Author Spotlight --- Mary Greenwood

For more than 25 years, Mary Greenwood has worked to build a reputation as a successful mediator, arbitrator, trainer, law school professor, attorney, negotiator, and human resources director. Yet in a matter of minutes (the time it took to mail a letter), the author picked up several key boosts that have helped her sell an impressive number of books. Those boosts came in the form of awards.

Greenwood’s books, How to Negotiate Like a Pro and How to Mediate Like a Pro, have won 16 publishing The author began formulating ideas for her series while working as a chief negotiator for the City of Miami Beach. She took down notes of tactics that worked and those that did not. “My ‘aha’ moment came when I realized that these rules would work in any kind of situation,” said Greenwood. “That’s when I knew I wanted to write a book so that anyone could learn how to solve disputes.”

Once her first book, How to Negotiate Like a Pro, was completed, Greenwood began her search for a publisher. “I wanted to control my manuscript and to be published in a short time period,” Greenwood said. “In addition, I wanted assistance with formatting, designing the cover, getting the ISBN number and other logistics.” She soon found a publishing package that met her needs at iUniverse.

Her published books have received praise from a number of the top book awards and writing competitions open to self-published authors. How to Negotiate Like a Pro has won six awards, including best how-to book at the DIY competition and finalist in the USA National Best Books Awards. How to Mediate Like a Pro has won 10 awards, such as the best how-to book at the Reader Views Book Awards and best how-to book at the Beach Book Festival. Both books have been finalists for ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards.

Greenwood attributes her books’ success at competitions to their individuality. “Even though many books have been written about negotiating and mediating, mine are unique because they are based on my own experience,” said Greenwood. “They are easy-to-read and not full of legalese.”

The awards her books won have helped Greenwood’s book sales. Not only does each award raise her Amazon ranking, but readers feel more comfortable buying her books. Greenwood said, “The awards give the reader validation that the book will be worthwhile.”

Greenwood also offered advice for authors interested in winning awards and competitions. “Pick the right category,” said Greenwood, “Look at previous winners to see if your book ‘fits’ the category. Sometimes applying in two categories helps your chances.”

Currently serving as the Assistant Vice-President of Human Resources and Labor and Employment Counsel at Roger Williams University, Greenwood remains passionate about her work. “I am putting my negotiation and mediation skills to good use,” she said.

Greenwood hopes her books have impacted not only professionals, but anyone who is involved in any kind of dispute. She plans to publish the third book of her series, How to Interview Like a Pro, later this year.


Publishing Awards won by Mary Greenwood

How To Mediate Like A Pro
Best National Book Award Winner, Law Category
Pinnacle Book Award Winner, How To Category
Winner, How To Category, Readers View Book Awards
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best eBook, New York Book Festival
Best eBook, Indie Excellence Award
Runner Up, eBook, DIY Festival
Spirit Award, South Florida Writers Association
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival

How To Negotiate Like A Pro
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, eBook Category, New York Book Festival
Runner Up, Self-Help Category, New York Book Festival
Finalist Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival


Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

Greenwood is Author of the Month at iUniverse

In the July iUniverse newsletter, I am spotlighted as the Author of the Month. iUniverse, the self-publisher of both of my books, How To Negotiate Like A Pro and How To Mediate Like A Pro, contacted me as a result of the 16 book awards that I have won. They interviewed me with a list of questions about my books and my book awards. I will post again when the article is circulated.

This article comes at an interesting time for iUniverse and Author Solutions, its parent company. For the first time the number of self-published titles brought to market in 2008(284,370) is more than traditionally-published books. The Author Solution publishers, Author House, iUniverse, Trafford Publishing, and Xlibris brought over 21,000 new titles to market in 2008. I am proud to be one of twelve authors spotlighted in 2009.

Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of 10 book awards
Second Place, Finalist Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Winner, Pinnacle Awards
Winner, Reader View Awards
Runnerup, E-Book, DIY Book Festival
Best National Book Award, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
HOnorable Mention, London Book Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

How to Mediate Like A Pro Wins the Silver

How To Mediate Like A Pro Wins the Silver Award in the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards in the Self-Help Category.

Winners were announced at the Book Expo America in New York City on Friday May 29th. ForeWord Magazine honors books published by independent book publishers and books that are self-published.

This the tenth book award for How To Mediate Like A Pro.

Greenwood is now working on How To Interview Like A Pro which will be published later this year.




Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

Greenwood to Attend Book Expo America

I will be attending Book Expo America in New York on Friday, May 29at the ForeWord Magazine Booth where the ForeWord Winners of the Book of the Year Program will be announced. ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards Ceremony will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 at Independent Publishers Stage, Level One of the Javitz Center.

ForeWord's Book of the Year Awards program celebrates the best from the independent publishing community. Gold, Silver and Bronze award-winners will be named in 61 categories. Also to be announced is the Editor's Choice Prize in Fiction and Nonfiction, featuring a $1500 prize and the Independent Publisher of the Year.
How To Mediate Like A Pro is a finalist in the How To Category.



Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

Greenwood's books to be published by Macmillan Publishers of India

How To Mediate Like A Pro and How To Negotiate Like A Pro are going to be published by Macmillan Publishers India. Macmillan is one of the largest and best-known publishers in the world. A unique player in India’s education market, Macmillan Publishers India enjoys a cutting-edge niche as partner-in-progress in the socio-economic development of the country.

Almost every child in India who has studied in a public school in the last 100 years or so has studied from some Macmillan book. Macmillan has won 23 awards for excellence in publishing and production in the last five years. The company has also won the Capexil Award for highest exports in its category continuously for the last 22 years. The company has been selected as a Business Superbrand by Superbrand Council of India.

Two brothers, Daniel and Alexander Macmillan, founded Macmillan in England in 1843. They started publishing the works of great authors and writers. As the company grew, an ambitious expansion programme was initiated in the late 1960s when Harold Macmillan retired from politics after his spell as Prime Minister of England and became chairman of the company.

Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck GmbH, a large media group created in 1971, whose headquarters are in Stuttgart, owns the Macmillan group. Macmillan has been operating in India since 1892. It is amongst the oldest publishing companies in the country and has provided high-quality educational books to generations of Indians.

Among the rich author list of Macmillan India are Rabindranath Tagore (Macmillan was the sole copyright owner for decades), I K Gujral, Jaswant Singh, I G Patel, C N R Rao, M S Swaminathan, Shiv Khera, Arindam Chaudhuri, Kapil Dev, Ankit Fadia and other illustrious academicians, scientists and teachers.

Macmillan is a top brand worldwide and has been a leader in its category for over 150 years. It has been the original publisher of some of the world’s greatest authors – Lewis Carroll, Lord Tennyson, Henry James, Thomas Hardy, Rudyard Kipling, H G Wells, John Maynard Keynes, Margaret Mitchell, WB Yeats and Rabindranath Tagore. The Macmillan India slogan is "Redefining Learning."

I am very happy and proud to be associated with Macmillan Publishers India.

How To Mediate Like A Pro Is Runner-UP in DIY Book Awards

How To Mediate Like A Pro Wins Ten Book Awards

Mary Greenwood’s book, How To Mediate Like A Pro is the Runner-Up in DIY Book Festival in the E-Book Category. This is the tenth book award Greenwood has won. The other awards are Winner, General Law Category, National Best Books 2008 Awards; Winner, 2008 Pinnacle Book Achievement Award; Winner, Reader Views Book Awards 2009 in “How To” Category; the Spirit Award, South Florida Writers Association; Finalist, ForeWord Book of the Year Award in Self Help Category; the Best E-Book, New York Book Festival; the Best “How To” Book, Beach Book Festival; the Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards and Honorable Mention, London Books Festival in the “How To” Category.

Greenwood, Attorney, Author, and Mediator, has mediated over 8000 cases and has put her knowledge and experience into How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes, which has also been published in Kenya, Africa, by Acrodile Publishers and is a textbook in Nova Southeastern’s Master of Law in Education program.
“For anyone who works in mediation, is thinking about becoming a mediator or training mediators.” Cherie Fisher, Reader Views
“Greenwood is an experienced Mediator who passes on her knowledge and experience in a logical fashion that makes learning easy.” S. Toner, Publisher

HOW TO ORDER

How To Mediate Like a Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes Price: $12.95 Self-Help Paperback: ISBN: 978-0-5 visit: http://www.marygreenwood.com/ ; Blog: http://howtonegotiatelikeapro.blogspot.com/; email: Howtomediate@aol.com

Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

How To Mediate Like A Pro Wins 2008 Pinnacle Book Award

How To Mediate Like A Pro Wins 2008 Pinnacle Book Achievement Award in the "How To Category."

This is the ninth book award that Greenwood has won. She was also a Winner in the General Law Category of the National Best Books 2008 Awards, Winner of the Reader Views Book Awards 2009 in How To Category. Winner of Spirit Award from the South Florida Writers Association, Finalist in the ForeWord Book of the Year Awards in the Self Help" Category, Winner of best E-Book from the New York Book Festival, Winner of Best "How To" book from the Beach Book Festival, Winner of the Best E-Book from the Indie Excellence Awards and Honorable Mention from the London Books Festival in the "How To"Category.

Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

Online Dispute Resolution

ODR- Online Dispute Resolution-

Here are some resources for resolving disputes online.

1. Squaretrade- eBay buyers and sellers

I worked at Squaretrade for over five years and mediated over 6000 cases. Although they have discontinued mediation services(they are mostly in the warranty business now), they are a good model for online disputes. There are several differences between online dispute mediation and face-to-face mediation. Here are some of them.

A. There are no visual cues and no inflection of the voice. It is almost impossible to be sarcastic or ironic online.

B. Jokes bomb on the internet. Jokes succeed in the delivery and there can be no delivery online.

C. Emails can sound very cold and impersonal. They need to be embellished with some friendly salutations and interest in the parties.

D. Parties can feel neglected online so the mediator must make regular contact to tell both parties what is going on. The Mediator may be caucusing with one party and the other party is wondering what is going on and can become frustrated if not given regular updates.

E. Mediation online can be freeing because generally the mediator does not know the national origin, religion, race, and sometimes sex of the parties. This allows the mediator to concentrate on the issues.

2. Arbitration Online
You may want to look into Arbitration services Online.

A. AAA Mediator and Arbitrator ODR
http://www.aaamediation.com/
The American Arbitration Association does both Arbitration and Mediation online. The Arbitration program has companies, such as a utility, which lists AAA as the arbitrator for any claims in its brochure. AAA does online training for independent contractor arbitrators in each state and assigns the arbitrators cases online. They are mostly default cases, but some costumers do file responses. The arbitrators are paid a fee per case

B. Internet-Arbitration http://www.net-arb.com/
There are some companies that only do arbitration online. Check the site for an application to become an arbitrator.

3. U-Mass ODR Center (Cyberweek) http://www.odr.info/
Every year in September, the University of Massachusetts ODR Center sponsors Cyberweek. This brings together practitioners all over the world to discuss online ODR issues. The proceedings of previous years are available online. There is a moot court mediation competition and online opportunities to find out the cutting edge innovations of the previous year. It is a good way to connect to online mediators globally.

4. Fair Outcomes http://appellex.com/
This is a new company using game theory in resolving disputes. Some of it is initially counter-intuitive and then suddenly makes a lot of sense. There is a format for parties to resolve disputes themselves online and then if it is not resolved, the parties can use an arbitrator for the final decision. Check out the website.


5. Mediation Arbitration Resolution Services (MARS),
http://www.resolvemydispute.com/
Check out this website for a site that does mediation and arbitration.

6. Cybersettle, http://cybersettle.com/
Cybersettle has done much of the technology used to resolve disputes. They have partnerships with the City of New York and American Arbitration Association. If you want to do mediation, you can use their software.

7 New book- Cross-border Internet Dispute Resolution by Julia
Hornle, Cambridge University Press, February 2009
This new book details some of the laws in cross-border Internet Dispute Resolution, especially in Europe. She also shows some model applications.

I am constantly updating my list since new trends, sites and articles are coming out all the time. Start googling and see if anything new pertains to you or your practice. Personally, I have found online mediation very satisfying and a lot of fun.



Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

I have moved to Bristol, Rhode Island

I have not been posting on my blog because I have moved to Bristol, Rhode Island from Miami Beach Florida. I have just started a new job at Roger Williams University as Assistant Vice President for Human Resources for Employee Development and Labor and Employment Counsel.

Bristol is a beautiful town on the Narragansett Bay with the oldest July Fourth Celebration in the country. It is known as the most patriotic town in the U.S.

It is separated from Portsmouth Rhode Island by the beautiful Hope Bridge.

I will be doing union negotiations and labor relations for the University and will still be posting about negotiations and mediations.

Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

Greenwood making presentation at Mediator Conference on March 14 in Fort Lauderdale

Mary Greenwood is giving a presentation on "Ethically Marketing Alternative Uses and Applications for Certified Mediators." She will talk about alternative uses of a mediator certification such as Online Mediation, Online Arbitration, Game Theory, Workplace Mediation, Negotiations. and Ombudsperson.

She will also cover marketing topics such as blogging, writing books, developing your niche, social networks, volunteer mediation, and ethics in marketing.

This is part of the 2009 Annual Mediator Seminar sponsored by the Association of South Florida Mediators and Arbitrators. The Seminar will be held at the Tower Club on the 28th floor of the Regions Bank Building at Broward Blvd. and S.E. Third Avenue in Fort Lauderdale from 8:30 to 5:00.

Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of eight book awards

Best How To Book, Reader Views Book Awards

Finalist, ForeWord Book of the Year Awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

How To Mediate Like A Pro is Finalist in ForeWord Book of the Year Awards

How To Mediate Like A Pro is a Finalist in the Self-Help Category in the ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Awards. The winners will be announced at the Book Expo in New York City May 29, 2009.

This is the eighth book award that How To Mediate Like A Pro has won.


Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate Like A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes,
Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of eight book awards
Finalist ForeWord Magazine
Best How To Book, Reader Views Book Awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

How To Mediate Like A Pro Wins Best How To Book in Reader Views Book Awards

How To Mediate Like A Pro has won first prize in the Reader Views Book Awards in the How To Category.

This is the seventh book award for How To Mediate Like A Pro.

Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes,

Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of seven book awards
Best National Book Award, Law Category

Winner, How To Category, Reader Views Awards,
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit Award, South Florida Writers Association

Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

Happy Birthday Dad

Dad would have been 94 today. My sisters and son have been compiling some of his favorite sayings. He loved the English language and loved to know the origins of words. He also loved colorful expressions. He was very optimistic and many of these sayings were used to encourage us when we needed it. Happy Birthday, Dad!

1. If you stick with me, you will be wearing diamonds.
2. Keep your snorkel up
3. Keep your chin up
4. Better than a sharp stick in the eye
5. Oppydildock
6. Bellyup
7. Don't take any wooden nickels
8. Let it roll off your back.
9. Roll with the punches.
10. As I live and breathe.
11. You are a sight for sore eyes.
12. Go get 'em tiger.
13 Connecticut is God's country
14. Connecticut is the banana belt of New England
15. The head gink.
16. Never get into a pissing contest with a skunk.
17. Put your best foot forward.
18. Always dress your best.
19. Go pound sand
20. Knock them dead


Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Finalist Reader View Awards, "How To" Category
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

How To Mediate Like A Pro a finalist in Reader Views Book Awards Contest

How To Mediate Like A Pro has been named a finalist in the "How To" Category in the Reader Views Annual Book Awards. The winners will be selected in March.


This is the seventh award for How To Mediate Like A Pro. It won Best "How To" Book from the Beacb Book Festival, Best General Law Book from the National Best Books Awards, Best E-Book from the New York Book Festival and the Indie Excellence Awards, Spirit Award from the South Florida Writers Association, and Honorable Mention from the London Book Festival.


Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

When to Stage a Temper Tamptrum in a Negotiation

If you want to make a point, a deliberately-staged temper tantrum might fit the bill. What makes this effective is that it is unexpected. If done sparingly, you can show that you mean business. Having a temper tantrum can also backfire. If a negotiation is particularly volatile and the parties are already discourteous and rude, a temper tantrum is not going to stand out.

If you do get angry, it should be on purpose and for effect as though you were an actor in a play. Generally it is better to be polite and charming, but not too charming or you will seem insincere. If you get angry and it is not staged, then you will be out of control. As Shakespeare said in As You Like It., " All the world is a stage and all the men and women merely players."

The whole negotiation process is acting to some degree. You don't want the other side to know what your position is and how you really feel. However, on rare occasions, you may feel that the timing is right to show anger. Just make sure you are acting and in control.

Here is an example. When you are told your reserved hotel room has been given to someone else, that controlled anger may be a way to get the hotel's attention since they generally won't want you to make a scene. One the other hand, you are always taking a chance that you will humiliate yourself. It is best to try this when you have nothing to lose and may never see this person again. If you go forward, prepare your script and practice just as an actor would do. Give details so the person knows why you are so upset. Since you are in control, don't go overboard with your performance. When you stage a scene like this, always end with a proposed solution. Otherwise your performance may be wasted and the other party may not feel like proposing a solution after you have yelled at them.

Remember this is a tactic of last resort and use sparingly.







Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

My Dad

My Dad died on Tuesday a few weeks before his 94th birthday. I am attaching a copy of his obituary. They just don't make them like this anymore. He and my Mom were married 66 years. He will be missed, but we have many wonderful memories.

John Gage Greenwood

GREENWOOD, John Gage John Gage Greenwood, 93, died January 27, 2009. He was born February 24, 1915, at Hartford Hospital. He graduated from Hall High School in West Hartford, attended Dartmouth College, took a "sabbatical" with the English Merchant Marine, and finished his degree in mechanical engineering at Lehigh University. He married Margaret McClintock in 1943 in Monterey, Mexico, where he was working on a bridge project. His employment included Ingersoll Rand, Terry Steam Turbine and Joy Manufacturing. In 1967 he became a vice president of Sullair Corporation, which was founded on a revolutionary design of a rotary screw technology for air compressors. Their prescient motto was Cool, Clean, Pure, Green. His career took him and his family back and forth between the East and Midwest, finally settling in Old Lyme. He loved Old Lyme and served as the Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts. He was an avid reader, a traveler of the world, a gardener, a sailor, a great story teller , a collector of maritime artifacts, a graceful fox trotter, an enthusiastic bridge player and an ambidextrous tennis player. Most of all he was the best husband, father and grandfather. He was a listener, cheerleader and supporter of his daughters and grandchildren. He was devoted to his wife and relished her great wit and grace. He became her caregiver in the last years of his life as she developed Alzheimers disease. He described this role as a privilege. He is survived by his wife of 66 years; his daughters Mary Gage Greenwood of Miami Beach; Martha March Greenwood of Farmington, and Sara Davis Greenwood of NYC and Madison, and spouses, Joseph Kehm, David Levin and Kevin Toner; his grandchildren, John Gage Breakfield and his wife Astrid Luthi Breakfield, Madeleine Davis Kiwak and Eliza March Kiwak; and his great grandchildren, Jack Gage Breakfield and Gage Luthi Breakfield. He was predeceased by his older brother James. There will be a family celebration of Jack's life this spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Fisher Center for Alzheimers Research Foundation; One Intrepid Square, W. 46th St. & 12th Ave., NYC, NY 10036








Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

Volunteer and Take Control of the Negotiations

Volunteer, Volunteer, Volunteer


You want to get as much control as you can in a negotiation. One way you can do this is to volunteer any time you can during the negotiations. Volunteer to prepare the agenda; volunteer to draft ground rules; volunteer to type up the day's notes; volunteer to frame the issues; volunteer to get comparable figures from the internet; and volunteer to prioritize the issues. I think you get the idea: volunteer!

Preparing the agenda is a tactical advantage because you can determine who goes first and make some preliminary suggestions as to the order and priority of topics. Being in charge of the note-taking is an advantage as long as it is done accurately and in a timely fashion. Using your computer and your software makes it less likely that a mistake is made in the final language.

The other side may be strapped for time or not want to take on any additional responsibilities and accept your offer to take on these projects. Although volunteering may mean extra work, it will usually pay off in the long run. Volunteering is a way to control the direction of the negotiations and get your opinions and solutions out front and center. Of course, if you are sloppy and make mistakes, than volunteering is not going to be an advantage. It could be a real detriment if you start confusing yourself and the other side. If you do volunteer, make sure you have the time to do the tasks correctly and don't make mistakes


Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

Beware and Be Aware

Be aware and don't let your guard down. Even if you think the negotiations are going well, don't be lulled into complacency. Always be alert and vigilant and make sure you understand the ramifications of any agreement. It is like playing a game of poker. If you keep your poker face, it will be hard for the other side to interpret your moves. However, if you are tired or frustrated at the end of the day, you may sigh or let your face show how discouraged you really are.

Be careful what you say and how you say it. Everything you say should be planned and part of your overall strategy. Don't say anything off the cuff. It is important not to be too cocky or confident if the negotiations are going the way you want. Gloating or smirking can infuriate the other side. They will figure out that you got something you really wanted and they may suddenly get more aggressive so they can get something to gloat about. If you are asked why you are smirking, say you just heard a good joke and be prepared to tell one

On the other extreme, don't be too hesitant or informal. Don't be patronizing either. IF you give the impression that you are smarter that the other side, this can come back to haunt you. Usually it is best to have a neutral demeanor and occasionally have some emotion to show what is really important to you or to throw the other side off. It is all in the delivery. Let people know you are paying attention.




Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com

Don't Overreach in Negotiations

If you overreach and use ruthless tactics, such as an ambush, in a negotiation, the other side will want to retaliate at the next negotiation or even sooner. You may have won the battle but lost the war. You may have gotten some concessions for your side, but the relationship with the other side will deteriorate and be full of distrust.

You want to get as much as you can out of a negotiation, but there will be consequences if you go to extremes. It the other side is beaten down and so humiliated that they look bad to their team, they will be looking for an opportunity to humiliate you. The consequences of overreaching might not be readily apparent, but the other side will wait for the right moment to avenge their humiliation.

If you are the one that overreached, you might not want to wait until the other side retaliates to take action. You might want to meet with the other side and try to repair the damage of the previous negotiations. It is difficult to have a good working relationship after negotiations have gone bad. You may want to be conciliatory although any efforts might be met with distrust. The problem with overreaching is that you showed your true colors already and the other side will have a hard time trusting you again.

Don't make the mistake of thinking the other side might forget. Like an elephant someone who has been ambushed in a negotiation will never forget it. At the next negotiation, expect the same treatment or worse. You may want to be proactive now.




Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com