As the current economic uncertainty around the world continues, negotiation skills become even more important. This is one of the messages of my new book about the modern art of negotiation, “The Yes Book”, out on Random House on March 28th.
For five years now the global economy has been struggling against a backdrop of uncontrolled public debt, vulnerable banks, lack of credit for business and recession – all of the ingredients of that cocktail being inextricably linked. Whether it’s Eurozone bail –outs, Bank restructuring, or endless stories of single, double or even triple dips, you cannot avoid the conclusion that times are hard. This creates an imperative to negotiate better and more collaboratively…
We are all much stronger working together than we are on our own. In fact economic growth, which is the single answer to all of these problems can only be achieved if companies, governments and individuals engage in more trade – and deals are the basis of that trade.
In case you needed it, here is a reminder of some of those economic stats:
Firstly in the UK
UK growth fell again slightly in the fourth quarter of 2012, leaving Britain on the brink of a triple dip recession according to the National Institute of Economic and Social research forecasts. Only a return to growth in Q1 this year will avoid that almost unprecedented development.
The UK still has to overcome its continuing public debt problem (currently standing at 73.8 percent of GDP) and the loss of its cherished AAA rating.
Britain is apparently heading for a fifth year of falling living standards, with official figures showing a decline in average earnings growth last year from 1.7% to 1.4%.
All of this has had […]