Case Studies

Real-world negotiation breakdowns — from car dealerships to ransomware — with move-by-move analysis.

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10 articles

May 29, 2026

Don't Sell the House as One Number

When I sold my fully-automated home, the smartest move had nothing to do with the price. Instead of bundling $60K of technology into the asking price, we carved it out as its own package — and it's a move that works far beyond real estate.

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May 27, 2026

Stop Mandating Return-to-Office. Start Negotiating It.

JPMorgan issued one mandate to 300,000 people and got a union drive. The mistake wasn't the policy — it was handing an entire workforce a single thing to unite against. The smarter approach is one of the oldest ideas in negotiation: divide and conquer — applied with care.

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April 17, 2026

The VP of M&A Just Put You on the Spot. What Do You Say?

One question. Four valid answers. The one you reached for first tells you everything about how you negotiate.

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April 10, 2026

Why 'Don't Bid Blind' Is the Worst Advice in B2B Sales

Everyone says don't respond to an RFP unless you have a relationship. They're wrong. Here's how to win blind — and why losing still pays.

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April 8, 2026 Real Estate

Escalation Clauses: Smart Play or Negotiation Trap?

Escalation clauses feel like control. They're not. Here's exactly what the listing agent does the moment you show your ceiling — and what to do instead.

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April 6, 2026 Real Estate

First Offer or Last Look: When Should You Pull the Trigger?

Going first feels bold. Waiting feels smart. But in a real estate offer situation, the timing of your bid does something most buyers never see coming.

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April 1, 2026

The Four Square: How Car Dealers Move Money Where You Can't See It

You walk into a dealership to negotiate a price. You don't. You negotiate inside a system designed to make sure you never know what you actually agreed to. Here's how it works — and how to beat it.

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March 30, 2026

How to Beat Big Hoss at Pawn Stars (A Move-by-Move Playbook)

You think they're negotiating the item. They're not. They're negotiating you. Here's exactly how the Pawn Stars playbook works — and how to beat it.

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March 20, 2026 Real Estate

Real Estate Agents Use Them on Every Deal. Most Negotiators Never Think to Ask.

Contingencies aren't escape hatches. They're agreements about the future. Real estate figured this out decades ago. Here's how to use the same logic in every negotiation you'll ever have.

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March 2, 2026 Real Estate

Save Gas in the Tank: How to Close a Closer

My wife was working a deal. I was eavesdropping. What happened next is one of the best lessons in negotiation I've seen play out in real time — in my own kitchen.

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