Like me, it’s pretty simple. I’m asked by handful of followers of this blog why I’m not blogging lately about anything I’m working on or items I think are relevant to what’s going on and what should they be doing to take advantage of the economic conditions to gain share. There’s not a lot I can say other than all (I’m not a Madoff victim, I’ve dodged the overweighted-in-equities bullet and my overall spirit is healthy and constructive for a few very specific endeavours) is well here and things are a bit too busy to be blogging and twittering all over the place. Plus I’m in a warm place where the sun is shining and the sea is clear so life’s generally okay, simple dinners with friends – you know the grilled burgers and decent wines  kind – and outdoor exercise. I’m certain I’m not the only guy with a plate too full of things that need to be sorted but that’s how it is any free time is allocated to R&R, plus I’m finding in my feeds others are writing more thorough posts than I would write. Plus with all the games and grayness of recent economic events my time is being spent sorting situations for myself and friends [mad enough to think I can be of help to them]. And good grilled burgers and steaks.

Am scribbling a few thoughts publicly here since I’m here already answering the what’s going on question for friends, I’d like to apologise in advance for simply presenting a list, below, of where I think businesses should be focusing to keep their momentum in an economic slow down. A list the most efficient method I can think of since I’m writing for a few select readers and not typically the general public (who I’m certain don’t read my blog anyway as I’m not one of those Internets celebs with yards of followers, most of my ideas are old and simple common sense.

So here goes, get ready for a list :)

1) Transparency and trust count more than ever. I’ve always tried to help along the folks I work with in negotiations understand we have to be transparent and show our intentions, if we don’t do so it’s hard for counterparties to understand where we’re coming from. I run into resistance some times from old world thinkers who have so ingrained in their DNA the need to hide pricing and profits they are  lost in this world where we work hand in hand with counterparties to form relationships and agreements. If you think your obfuscation gene is dominant then get some professional help, the world today can smell you coming a mile away, your days are numbered.  

2) Divas and skanks are in trouble. The fastest way to turn off a counterparty or have one self-eject is to disrespect that person’s time or to be whoring around looking for a better deal whilst finalising the final strokes of a contract you have already agreed in principal. Just don’t do it. If you feel the need to self optimise to this extent, whatever the personal psychological need or reason, just don’t go it. repeat, don’t do it. 

3) Handshakes, promises and contracts had better be sincere. This in not your mother’s snowmobile. Folks across the negotiating table from you are looking for respect, everything being done in good faith -if you remember that term, don’t think that you can squeeze more through a back trade and weasel when you’ve promised (verbal or written contract) to deliver something. Word spreads quicker than the legs of a reality show contestant. Your reputation is all you have these days and in fact it’s all you ever had though during the last bubble you may not have needed to think about that as much as you do today. I have a lot more to say on this subject, if you’re looking to develop a piece of business in an industry I’m involved in where you think we have a match re transparency and integrity and it could be used to do a roll up or other such deal I be interested in hearing from you.

There you have it, three simple themes I find can help keep things moving forward in most situations. My track record is pretty good in not getting people into bad deals, I have had to opt out of a few relationships to avoid making bad situations for counterparties and folks I’ve introduced. And agreements I’ve guided where transparency and respect is understood by the parties are the ones I expect to be the most trouble free.

One of the things I’ve tried to do from the the beginning of my professional career is to manage the progress of deals such that all parties get a fair shake. I’m sure some hard-core negotiators would call it foolish however I have no reservations placing fairness above pushing a party into a close before they are ready to commit or into a deal where I myself wouldn’t tread. Above all relationships are more important than any one deal, when you think a relationship may be endangered by a hasty contract simply warn the party across the table things are moving too fast and that more time is required; when you protect the counterparty in such instances you are helping everyone except the litigators down the road who would otherwise feast. 

Seems all of this should be clear today given the shenanigans and obfuscations still haunting us from the last bubble but I think it’s all worth mentioning. So get back out there and do some deals keeping in mind the guy on the other side of the table is having the same bad reaction to the old DNA as you, you’re really both on the same side trying to make some business that makes economic sense. My sense is if more people realised this integrity thing sooner there would have been more real growth to offset the bubble, the real challenge today is to make real growth, the types of relationships that you develop starting today will necessarily be more based on trust, don’t disadvantage yourself by grabbing a quick profit at the cost of relationship. Real growth in this economy is desperately needed, so back to work.

And BTW, speaking of good dinners and simplicity, here’s a pic of the burgers and muffins from a recent dinner, can you see why simple eats and good dinner conversation is my preference during these busy times when not on the front line…

And as usual, I’m not proofreading this post so don’t go bonkers re spelling and grammar, accept that this is just how it is on this blog. Later. R.