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"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." 
- Walt Disney -

Our reading recommendations

Negotiation

3-D Negotiation

David Lax, James Sebenius

3-D Negotiation

A three-pronged strategical approach to negotiation by two contributors to the Harvard Negotiation Program. It covers statistics, game theory and social psychology. Their ideas and recommendations come from observing and advising on business negotiations.

Beyond Winning

Robert Mnookin, Scott Peppet, Andre Tulumello

Beyond Winning

Contains real-life examples and dialogues from negotiation focusing on creating value at and away from the table. Also deals with further negotiation challenges, generally in the legal area.

Getting to Yes

Roger Fisher, William Ury, Bruce Patton

Getting to Yes

I must admit, I am a fan and we teach this in our negotiation seminars. The Harvard Concept offers a framework which can lead to an agreement from which both (or all) parties can profit. Even the relationship can also be improved. It is not a step-by-step guide of what to do or what to say but following the principles will help you feel better about your negotiation and improve the process.

Never Split the Difference

Chris Voss

Never Split the Difference

The ex-FBI's chief hostage negotiator's account of influencing the other party in negotiations through rhetoric, opening offers, 2nd offers etc. Practical tips which you can try out in your own business negotiations. Chris Voss criticises the Harvard Concept (well, you don't want to get to yes with hostage-takers necessary). That said, his final chapter sums up really for me what the book "Getting Past No" also suggests.

Negotiation Genius

Deepak Malhotra, Max Bazermann

Negotiation Genius

I really like this book as it is extremely well structured, very practical and full of tactics which you can use straight away. Covers value creation, dealing with emotions and the topic of ethics.

The Power of a Positive No

William Ury

The Power of a Positive No

This book also really helped me in making it clear to others when the boundaries had been met. At the same time, you don't destroy the relationship. You can also uphold what things (interests and concerns) are important to yourself.

Getting Past No

William Ury

Getting Past No

Getting to yes can have its limits when the other party doesn't play ball or refuses to negotiate. Here you'll find approaches to more difficult negotiation partners and situations, based upon the Harvard Concept. We tend to cover these aspects in our training on advanced negotiation.

The Art and Science of Negotiation

Howard Raiffa

The Art and Science of Negotiation

Raiffa was a mathematician and decision theorist who contributed to the Harvard Negotiation Program. His work revolves around statistics and how to work out the value in monetary terms of a negotiation. Not always an easy read, but if you like analysis and game theory, this might be for you.

The Kremlin School of Negotiation

Igor Ryzov

The Kremlin School of Negotiation

My decision to buy this book was based on the title alone. A fresh perspective (Russian one, obviously) on negotiation as a lot of literature comes from the USA. It contains useful advice on what to say and how to say it and personal negotiation examples from the author.

The Mind and Heart of the Negotiator

Leigh Thompson

The Mind and Heart of the Negotiator

I enjoy reading and watching Prof. Leigh Thompson (see Youtube). She offers, in my view, a very hands-on approach to negotiation as well as backing it up with lots of scientific studies. This is her textbook on negotiation, used in her teaching at Northwestern University.

 

Cross-Cultural Communication

A good combination of theory and business practice, clearly structured and pleasant to read. Useful tips and strategies for dealing with people from various cultural groups. If you've read Hofstede, then here you'll find the practical advice.

Erin Meyer

The Culture Map

A good combination of theory and business practice, clearly structured and pleasant to read. Useful tips and strategies for dealing with people from various cultural groups. If you've read Hofstede, then here you'll find the practical advice.

Hofstede's 6 dimensions explained in great detail, what they mean for interactions and doing business with other cultures. Not always the most leisurely read in my view, but well worth a look if you want to understand the significant differences.

Gert Hofstede

Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind

Hofstede's 6 dimensions explained in great detail, what they mean for interactions and doing business with other cultures. Not always the most leisurely read in my view, but well worth a look if you want to understand the significant differences.

In my opinion, an excellent introduction to cultural differences and how to "categorise" culture. Full of anecdotes, models as well as do's and don'ts. The second half of the book is full of country cases - some longer, some shorter - on what to do when holding meetings and negotiations with people from other cultures. A guide to have on your shelf!

Richard Lewis

When Cultures Collide

In my opinion, an excellent introduction to cultural differences and how to "categorise" culture. Full of anecdotes, models as well as do's and don'ts. The second half of the book is full of country cases - some longer, some shorter - on what to do when holding meetings and negotiations with people from other cultures. A guide to have on your shelf!

 

Communication & Persuasion
 

This book delves into the DISC model, categorizing personalities into four colors: Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow. The book offers practical strategies for understanding and communicating effectively with each type, enhancing personal and professional relationships through improved interaction.  If you like it, take a look at the follow-ons (dealing with narcissists etc.)

Thomas Erikson

Surrounded by Idiots

This book delves into the DISC model, categorizing personalities into four colors: Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow. The book offers practical strategies for understanding and communicating effectively with each type, enhancing personal and professional relationships through improved interaction. If you like it, take a look at the follow-ons (dealing with narcissists etc.)

If you want to understand the topic of influence, be it in our private or business lives, then look no further. Basically, all negotiation tactics fall into one of the 6 areas identified by Robert Cialdini, Professor of Psychology and Marketing at Arizona State University. He has spent decades researching the subjects and conducting all sorts of experiments. Worth a read!

Robert Cialdini

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion

If you want to understand the topic of influence, be it in our private or business lives, then look no further. Basically, all negotiation tactics fall into one of the 6 areas identified by Robert Cialdini, Professor of Psychology and Marketing at Arizona State University. He has spent decades researching the subjects and conducting all sorts of experiments. Worth a read!

A way of talking to each other without hurting the other side. Marshall B. Rosenberg developed the "language of life" as a social worker, dealing with racial tension in the United States. Despite the apparent "simplicity", still not easy to do and further training is recommended for those interested in taking it further.

Marshall Rosenberg

Non-Violent Communication

A way of talking to each other without hurting the other side. Marshall B. Rosenberg developed the "language of life" as a social worker, dealing with racial tension in the United States. Despite the apparent "simplicity", still not easy to do and further training is recommended for those interested in taking it further.

A look at personality types according to the DiSC-model and how to recognise these in negotiation. Also includes an overview of the Harvard Concept. Currently only available in the German language.

Georg Dauth

Professionell Verhandeln mit DiSG

A look at personality types according to the DiSC-model and how to recognise these in negotiation. Also includes an overview of the Harvard Concept. Currently only available in the German language.

Kahneman’s theories and findings (and those developed with the late Amos Tversky) are in here - includes the framing effect, approach to risk, the law of numbers etc. If you're a fan of decision-making and how our brains are manipulated, then worth a read. Probably not done in a weekend, though!

Daniel Kahnemann

Thinking, Fast and Slow

Kahneman’s theories and findings (and those developed with the late Amos Tversky) are in here - includes the framing effect, approach to risk, the law of numbers etc. If you're a fan of decision-making and how our brains are manipulated, then worth a read. Probably not done in a weekend, though!

 

Culture and Country Specific
 

The Chinese culture, thousands of years in its development, meets modern-day China. Differences between Germans and Chinese regarding communication, decision-making and business networking are highlighted with anecdotes and cases. Of course, strategies for negotiation successfully with the Chinese don't go amiss! German language only.

Alexander Thomas, Eberhard Schenk, Wolfgang Heisel

Beruflich in China

The Chinese culture, thousands of years in its development, meets modern-day China. Differences between Germans and Chinese regarding communication, decision-making and business networking are highlighted with anecdotes and cases. Of course, strategies for negotiation successfully with the Chinese don't go amiss! German language only.

Why are the British always apologising for things, why can't they just speak their mind and why do they get so drunk on holiday? Answers to these questions and more can be found in this book on the British cultural standards. The examples inside are more from private life rather than business. Still, the explanations, in particular the historical foundation, are excellent. German language only.

Stefan Schmid, Alexander Thomas

Beruflich in Großbritannien

Why are the British always apologising for things, why can't they just speak their mind and why do they get so drunk on holiday? Answers to these questions and more can be found in this book on the British cultural standards. The examples inside are more from private life rather than business. Still, the explanations, in particular the historical foundation, are excellent. German language only.

When negotiating with people from India, you may wonder why they find it difficult to say no, sometimes get quite emotional and have enormous respect for elders and authority. Along with further cultural standards, these behaviours are illustrated using a variety of business and negotiation scenarios. German language only.

Katrin Mitterer, Rosemarie Mimler, Alexander Thomas

Beruflich in Indien

When negotiating with people from India, you may wonder why they find it difficult to say no, sometimes get quite emotional and have enormous respect for elders and authority. Along with further cultural standards, these behaviours are illustrated using a variety of business and negotiation scenarios. German language only.

Negotiating with Russians involves understanding their approach to time, getting things done and their view of authority. Here you will find the Russian cultural standards explained as well as strategies for improving your collaboration. German language only.

Tatjana Yoosefi, Alexander Thomas

Beruflich in Russland

Negotiating with Russians involves understanding their approach to time, getting things done and their view of authority. Here you will find the Russian cultural standards explained as well as strategies for improving your collaboration. German language only.

Time is money, performance-orientation and the constant strive for more— just some of the cultural standards which describe US-American behaviour in this guide. Useful background information, amongst others, on the pilgrims, immigration and geography, which really do help explain things! German language only.

Emily Slate, Sylvia Schroll-Machl

Beruflich in den USA

Time is money, performance-orientation and the constant strive for more— just some of the cultural standards which describe US-American behaviour in this guide. Useful background information, amongst others, on the pilgrims, immigration and geography, which really do help explain things! German language only.

A book for non-Germans wanting to understand their German counterparts better. Here, the cultural standards including planning, directness and why many Germans appear to take things very seriously most of the time are explained!

Sylvia Schroll-Machl

Doing Business with Germans

A book for non-Germans wanting to understand their German counterparts better. Here, the cultural standards including planning, directness and why many Germans appear to take things very seriously most of the time are explained!

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