Rss Description Here https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/ Thu, 29 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT Thu, 29 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT David Bannister My wife is currently involved as an executor in the finalising of an estate and recently this has involved the sale of a house. As you do, she engaged three estate agents to value the property and then chose one of them to act on behalf of her and the other executors involved. The estate agent selected... https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/be-careful-what-you-ask-for/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:29 GMT 6386 Stephen White In 1982 my wife and I almost bought a house. My job required me to move to the South Coast. We found a property we liked, not least because it was called The White House, very appropriate given my name. The asking price was £75,000. It was in need of considerable modernisation, and we offered £68,000. The seller indignantly turned us down, and made no counter-proposal, so we looked elsewhere. It was a buyer’s market, and there were lots of suitable properties, but none had quite the appeal of the White House. https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/tiers-and-tears/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:30 GMT 6385 Alan Smith I have no political aspirations whatsoever. Never have had. Didn’t even want to stand for the school council, till the teacher told me I’d get out of lessons and free chocolate biscuits. I think to want to be a politician reveals deep and tragic personality flaws. Of the ‘please like me’, type. I’m sure that many start with high ideals, which get knocked out of them by the sheer boredom of endless meetings and discussions about planning permission and parking permits. https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/butcher-baker-deal-maker/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:31 GMT 6384 Robin Copland The Right Honourable, the Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws, QC, FRSA, HonFRSE is a very serious person not only in legal and academic circles, but also as an active politician and member of the Labour party. Lest you think that she is a party apparatchik, let it be recorded that she was the most rebellious Labour member of the House of Lords last year, rebelling against her party whip 33% of the time. She gave an interview on Thursday 1st October on BBC Scotland’s morning news and current affairs programme, Good Morning Scotland and it made interesting listening, especially if you are a follower of both politics and negotiating. First, some background: the Internal Markets Bill has recently... https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/soft-power/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:31 GMT 6383 Stephen White I have many friends who are opinionated, and that is a good thing. Discussing issues of the day with them is always an interesting experience, because discussion without controversy is deadly boring, and they are far from boring. One of them has a pet phrase when he disagrees with a POV – ‘I hear what you say’ he says, but what he actually means is ‘You’re wrong’. The problem with opinionated people is that... https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/answer-the-question/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:33 GMT 6382 Stephen White Over the years I have spent quite a lot of time in Bradford. My wife, at that time my girlfriend, went to Margaret McMillan College of Education in the town, we were regular visitors to the Alhambra Theatre, and later on I taught numerous managers working for Grattan’s, the mail order catalogue company. It is a fine town, populated by great characters. In 1981 Bradford made headlines when it declared itself to be a nuclear-free zone. No one quite understood what that meant in practice, but the literal interpretation was that if... https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/an-opinion-free-blog/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:33 GMT 6381 Stephen White We had a kitchen tap problem. No hot water. We don’t have a tame plumber, but coincidentally that same day we had received a tradesmen’s flyer so we went with one of the plumbers listed. He turned up on time, he was a very nice man and he seemed to know what he was talking about. He assessed the problem, diagnosed elderly pipework, did some more tests, re-diagnosed elderly pipework plus a faulty tap and told us what we needed to replace it with – a new tap capable of handling low water pressure because of the pipework. https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/getting-into-hot-water/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:32 GMT 6380 Robin Copland It’s a strange thing but there is a sense that the effects of the global pandemic currently ravaging the globe have been an almost welcome distraction from the other big current news event in the UK – Brexit. Quite rightly, the media’s attention has been focused on the UK’s response to... https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/clean-breaks/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:32 GMT 6379 Alan Smith My daughter arrived home last week for her regular visit to wash her bedding. 30 years old and still comes home to wash her bed. I know. What the flip! Weird but I guess the fact that... https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/problems-problems/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:34 GMT 6378 Alan Smith One of the many things that COVID has exposed dramatically is the attitude we all have for taking risks. Risk has always been a shifting and ever-present aspect of life and something that we all come into contact with at some point. From the (mis)adventures we have as kids to the decisions we make as adults, our attitude towards risk is a fundamental part of who we are. https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/would-you-risk-it/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:34 GMT 6377 Robin Copland Here’s a question for you: what do John Swinney, Peter Weir, Kirsty Williams and Gavin Williamson all have in common? I’m going to give you a clue – they are all a bit closer to their respective exit doors than they were this time last week. https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/fancy-a-go-on-the-skid-pan/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:35 GMT 6376 Alan Smith I live in the extreme south-east of England, probably as close to the coast of France as I am to London. As such we get the best weather in the UK, assuming of course that you enjoy the sunshine and relative warmth of a hit or miss UK summer. If you enjoy cool and rain, not to mention midges, I suggest Scotland. https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/keep-cool/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:35 GMT 6375 Alan Smith As the sun returns to parts of the UK this week, we all should massively take care of ourselves and our loved ones as the lure of the cooling effects of water drag us to the seaside and our local wild swimming areas. Furlough did a number of things, one of which has been... https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/process-really-counts/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:37 GMT 6374 David Bannister Every night since March our national broadcaster has solemnly announced the statistics of COVID 19 deaths which have occurred in the UK. Periodically also, because the governments are devolved, the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish governments have pointed out that their fatality rates from the disease in their respective countries have been less awful than those in England where many have rationalised the difference as being affected by the size of cities, the make-up of the population or the density of housing. The figures showed... https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/if-only-we-knew/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:37 GMT 6373 Stephen White Yesterday the UK government lost control of the intelligence and security committee and resigned itself to see the publication of a long-time-hidden report on Russian interference in British politics next week. Today Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced that Russian hackers in state-sponsored organisations called Cozy Bear and Sekondary Infektion have been trying to steal British intellectual property relating to the manufacture of a vaccine for Covid-19, and influence the result of the 2019 General Election. https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/diversion-taktiks/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:36 GMT 6372 Richard Savage I have just been the dutiful Dad and delivered the youngest one, Grace, back to Bristol with her boyfriend – both graduating students of the university there. They have decided to both stay on for a year (coincidence? I think not) and so it is the annual task of moving into a new flat (facilitated by yours truly) that this story is about. https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/student-life/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:36 GMT 6371 David Bannister My wife and I own a static caravan in Mid-Wales and for the three years during which we have had it, it has been our weekend bolt-hole and place for the occasional holiday for us and for the family. This year... https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/goodwill-hunting-the-story-of-jane-s-cakes/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:38 GMT 6370 Richard Savage I have now been staring at the terrace at the back of my house for 3 straight months (thanks, global health crisis!). Obviously, I’ve been flat to the boards at work on my many screens too but like computer screens, the view has become a little jaded. So in a moment of inspiration I decided to organise my veritable ‘outside kitchen’ (Big Green Egg, Savage Grills BBQ and the Brick Oven) around a bigger space. This excitement has not been shared quite so enthusiastically by Mrs Savage and she flinches every time I mention the ‘K(itchen)’ word but the prospect of a new garden area has been accepted. https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/crazy-paving/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:39 GMT 6369 Stephen White I have been driving an electric car for over 4 years. At the beginning my friends scoffed about ‘range anxiety’ and their disbelief that anyone who drove long distances, as I do, would accept the risk of running out of power in the middle of nowhere – or even worse in the middle of the M1. My smug retort was to point out the difference between the price they paid for fuel and the price I paid for electricity. I was definitely an outlier but in those 4 years we have all become much more aware of climate change, we have learned much more about the noxious fumes emitted by diesel engines, and the range of electric vehicles has significantly increased. As a result many more people were looking to replace their ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles with electric equivalents. The high price of fuel, and an expectation that prices will keep on rising has also helped. Until lockdown. https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/falling-prices/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:38 GMT 6368 Brian Buck This past week was gut-wrenching, as I took in the social injustice, the civil unrest, the calls for action, and the sheer pain experienced by so many people. Like others, I was saddened and moved by what I saw, but it’s been difficult to watch. It’s been just as hard to explain to my kids, and it’s been painful to talk to friends who have been impacted. The one thing I keep coming back to in all of this is that change simply doesn’t take place without each and every one of us being held accountable for it. https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/a-tale-of-our-times/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:39 GMT 6367 Richard Savage It is fascinating how new words (or old ones) enter our vocabulary and are suddenly on everyone’s lips. Over the last few years, previously unknown words like Brexit or Covid-19 were unheard of but quickly become broadly understood by everyone. Likewise, previously little used (but more common) words like negotiation, lockdown and of course virtual have become ubiquitous. https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/the-virtue-of-virtual-whatever-that-means/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:41 GMT 6366 Richard Savage “Dad, dad, it’s urgent, please call me” said the Text. Instagram. WhatsApp. Messenger or whatever virtual communication I received yesterday from my eldest. On the call that followed she explained... https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/consultancy-for-kids/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:41 GMT 6365 Stephen White Lockdown certainly sorts the gardeners out, at least around where I live. Some gardens I pass on my daily exercise hour are super-pristine, almost manicured in their perfection. Others remain a straggly mess, with the grass overlong and the weeds overblown. Mine fits into the latter category; not because I don’t care but because I don’t have the skill, the enthusiasm or the tools to do anything about it. So when an announcement was made yesterday... https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/goldilocks-and-the-three-bears/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:40 GMT 6364 David Bannister As some of you may have read my previous blog, you will realise that I am now coming to the end of week 6 of my isolation. I have stopped and reflected on it as an experience which I have certainly never had before. Looking back, I have noted some really positive things (and negative ones as well, of course). Each day of those six weeks I have been... https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/corona-bonus/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:40 GMT 6363 Stephen White Few would deny that Donald Trump’s thinking has been all over the place in terms of the virus. He consults with scientists and relies on scientific advice, and then tells the Great American Public that the metrics he will use to determine when and how to relax the lockdown are ‘in here’ (pointing to his head). He says he understands the need for lockdown but encourages insurrection by those who want to ignore social distancing and ‘liberate’ America. Confused, or what? https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/data-breakdown/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:42 GMT 6362 Richard Savage Well, there we have it. The first secretary this week has pronounced that lockdown continues for another 3 weeks. The media were predicting such a statement, no doubt to soften us up for the confirmation. The awful statistics continue to build and whilst there is talk of light at the end of the tunnel, no one is totally convinced it’s not another train heading our way! Businesses are struggling, families battle on indoors and our front-line care workers are at full stretch. And the pubs are still closed. A dark time indeed. And yet, hidden amongst the misery there are some wonderful stories that lighten the mood. https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/is-there-an-upside-of-lockdown/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:42 GMT 6361 Richard Savage I love being at home. I love being with my family. But ALL day, EVERY day? And then I reflected that one of the most important things we teach as professional negotiators is to ask questions, good questions, and then most critically, listen to the answers. In fact, the ability to listen is probably the ultimate negotiator's asset! https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/the-new-front-line-negotiating-at-home/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:43 GMT 6360 Ann Parr Last Saturday I got married. This week we were meant to be somewhere exotic, gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes and making plans for the start of our married life together. But. Then. COVID-19. Let’s face it are any of us living the life we planned for just now?! https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/love-in-the-time-of-corona/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:43 GMT 6359 David Bannister As I sit here in the third week of self-isolation – the first two having been forced on me because I holidayed for three weeks in Thailand – I have reflected on how important social interaction is to us all. I can’t cuddle my new grandson or play games with my other grandchildren and I am maintaining social distance from neighbours although, to be honest where one of them is concerned that represents no change from the norm! https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/it-s-only-words/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:45 GMT 6358 Alan Smith Crisis? This bloody crisis! Be honest. Who saw this coming? Not me, that’s for sure. I was happily minding my own business, working, exercising (occasionally) seeing family and friends and looking forward to the start of better weather and a summer of holidays and warmth. Then that was it. The COVID-19 virus hit. Slowly to start with, and somewhere else. https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/crisis/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:45 GMT 6357 Tom Feinson If I was to say the word “vulture” what would spring to mind? I would predict images of parasitic, ugly creatures feasting on rotting carcasses, there may be even a slight tightening of the stomach and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. The human comparison is that of ruthless unpleasant people who prey on the weak. However, I learnt this weekend that the generally accepted view is wrong. As a family, we... https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/one-man-s-meat-is-another-man-s-poison/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:44 GMT 6356 Alan Smith Anyone who comes from the North of England will see this phrase as one of the greatest insults you can hurl. Thinking a lot of yourself is a phrase my grandmother used to use frequently as a put down for people who clearly had aspirations above their station as she would think. Northerners are known for... https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/you-think-a-lot-of-yourself/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:44 GMT 6355 Stephen White My newspaper today has three full pages of Aldi advertisements. The running motif is price and the word LIKE…. ‘If you LIKE low prices’, ‘If you LIKE’ saving over 40%’, and so on. The word is fashionable – it has taken on new importance because of social media – we are asked to LIKE our friends, LIKE other people’s Facebook posts, LIKE Instagram photos. Perhaps this... https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/please-like-this/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:46 GMT 6354 Richard Savage A friend told me this tragic story about what turned into a very expensive trip to a local shopping centre with her husband. They are both smokers, you know the ones that give up from time to time, enjoy a rather tense and grumpy few days together and then start again (lucky bastards!). Visits to shopping centres in pairs are... https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/give-up-it-s-not-good-for-you/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:47 GMT 6353 Andrew Farquhar A game plan which has focussed around playing faster and being more nimble than the opposition has been the pervading approach; in rugby, as in negotiations, going toe to toe with a more powerful opponent is very unlikely to prove fruitful. https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/size-isn-t-everything/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:48 GMT 6352 Annabel Shorter Whizzing around yesterday I caught snippets of the news and I gather that the Government is considering decriminalising the non-payment of the BBC’s licence fee. If I understand correctly the fee will now apply to all households including the previously exempt over-75s. However, by removing the sanction attached to non-payment do they effectively make it optional? The question is what percentage of households given the choice would pay the fee? I heard one expert estimate that it would result in a £350m drop in revenue. So, are the government labouring under the view that people will do the ‘right thing’? https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/the-right-thing/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:49 GMT 6351 Sam Macbeth As I write this, the Coronavirus continues to spread – creating untold human misery, the price for which cannot be negotiated. The virus will already be creating different kinds of change; increased need for protection, medicine and support along with the basics that human beings need. Now, ‘change’ can be a catalyst for negotiating, and in this sense, it could take different forms: Firstly, there are those opportunistic commercial organisations who may be tempted to profiteer from a short-term power increase in supply and demand (hotels charging more when people are stranded in bad weather?), outweighed most probably by a long-lasting damaging change in public perception after the event. https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/flex-and-flexibility/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:46 GMT 6350 David Bannister In the past couple of weeks, the press in the UK and in other parts of the world has devoted many of its precious column inches to the story surrounding Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife, the former actress Meghan Markle. As you can probably imagine with my background, whenever the word "negotiation" appears in the press then my attention is caught. In this case,... https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/a-right-royal-deal/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:47 GMT 6349 Richard Savage I’m fascinated by how brands can make us feel. The intensity of that feeling, what drives it and how long it can last. The infamous ones in my experience include IKEA. Nothing makes my blood curdle more than the indignity of being herded around the labyrinth of their Wembley store, before you land in the cattle market of the queuing system. Great for your... https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/bad-behaviour-from-the-good-guys/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:48 GMT 6348 Stephen White It is a new year and a new decade. How does that make you feel – optimistic or apprehensive? Knowing this is important, because your answer may be a guide to your negotiating style. I have an old friend who is in retail. For many years... https://www.scotwork-benelux.com/insights/2020/happy-new-year/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:54:48 GMT 6347