|
|
How To Mediate Like A Pro wins first prize in How To category in the Beach Book Festival in Atlantic City, New Jersey which awards books for hot summer reading. The awards Ceremony will be June 27,2008 at the Algonquin Hotel, known for the Round Table of literary giants, in New York City.
Review of How to Mediate Like a Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes, Reviewed by Cherie Fisher for Reader Views (3/08)
Author Mary Greenwood does it again with “How to Mediate Like a Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes.” This follows her book “How to Negotiate Like a Pro,” which has now won six awards and this new one is just as impressive. It is a great book for anyone who works in mediation, is thinking about becoming a mediator or to use in a classroom when training mediators. The advice is simple, straight-to-the-point and effective.
There are only 55 pages in this book, but they are full of valuable information on mediation. My only experience with mediation was with my divorce and, after reading this book, I realized that the mediator was following a process. The mediator helped us make a very painful process short, effective and less expensive.
The author starts the book by defining what mediation is. Then she compares the differences between a negotiation and mediation. In chapter two she explains the role of the mediator and begins the 42 rules of mediation. The 42 rules include: setting ground rules, not showing emotion, letting the parties tell their story, being neutral and not having any bias, not letting the parties get bogged down, being the devil’s advocate and follow up. There are many other rules besides what I mentioned and they cover the topic from A-Z.
Following the chapters are several appendices with mediator’s opening statement, glossary terms, what makes a good mediator and resources. They are great references that are set up to be easily referred to. The resources also include what is available in every state.
I thought that this is a great book, straight-to-the-point and simple. I definitely walked away with good knowledge about what a mediator is supposed to do. I highly recommend “How to Mediate Like a Pro” for anyone who is a mediator or thinking about becoming a mediator.
|
>
REVIEWS
How to Negotiate Like a Pro - 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes
Mary Greenwood
iUniverse Inc.
ISBN 0595397336
Reviewed by Cherie Fisher for Reader Views (8/06)
“How to Negotiate Like a Pro – 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes” is a well-written book focusing on all aspects of everyday negotiation, not just resolving union disputes. The author, Mary Greenwood, has over twenty-five years of experience in all aspects of negotiation giving her the expertise needed to write a good book on negotiation.
The book is a very concise quick read with only 61 pages. Even so, the 41 rules are jam packed with valuable, common sense information. The rules are broken down into 7 chapters that cover: Are you ready for negotiations? Negotiation Strategies, Extreme Tactics, Closing the Deal and other types of negotiations. She even has a chapter covering everyday negotiations such how to deal with a spouse or ex-spouse, hotels and E-bay.
I really liked Greenwood’s approach to each rule. She starts by stating the rule - for example – Rule One: Focus on the Goal. Don’t be distracted by your emotions. Then she defines the rule, talks about its pros and cons and offers the best way to use it in negotiations. At the end of each section she also has a list of possible scripts that can be used with each rule.
The Appendices are also packed full of useful information. Appendix A is a glossary of terms that can be used as a reference guide when confronted with “negotiation” terms. Appendix B lists all the traits that make a good negotiator. Appendix C is a reminder list of do’s and don’t of negotiators. And Appendix D wraps the book up with a list of sample ground rules.
Mary Greenwood’s simple approach to resolving all issues, whether union arbitration or setting up a custody calendar with your ex-spouse, make this a valuable book for most people. If you follow these rules, all parties should walk out of the negotiation feeling satisfied by the outcome. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to improve his or her negotiation skills.
Book Review in Natural Awakeningsby Beatrice Fernandez Mary Greenwood has distilled the knowledge gained from years of experience as a union negotiator, argitrator and attorney in this concise and precise guide to resolving disputes, both professional and personal in nature. Her 41 rules are organized into four sections: preparation for negotiation, strategies for the duration, last-resort tactics, and deal clsoing. Among them you will find some common-sense advice such as "be willing to apologize," and more crafty techniques such as "create a diveresion such as a smoke screen, decoy and red herring." She devotes a separate chapter to negotiating on the telphone and online, where face-toface methods can't be used. Another chapter addresses the personal aspects of negotiation, as when dealing with a spouse or boss. She goes on to give advice on resolving issues wiht a hotel and negotiating on eBay as a buyer or seller. She closes with a chapter on failed negotations and what options remain to both parties. Greenwood includes several very useful appendices: a glossary of terms, a list of traist a good negotiator should have, do's and don'ts of negotioation, and a sample policy of ground rules for two-party deals and team negotiating. Most useful are the scripts Greenwood provides after each rule; she effectively translates what the rule is addressing into carefully neutral language that you can use during your dispute conveying your strength of position without inflaming emotions. Whether the results are completely in your favor or not, Mary Greenwood's guide to negotiation will at least help ensure that most of the chips fall on your side! "I'm From Missouri - Show Me!"  OK, I’m not really from Missouri, the “Show-Me State” [but you knew that!]. I wanted to let you know that I have just read How to Negotiate Like a Pro. In one compact work, Mary Greenwood has synthesized a cornucopia of information about negotiation. This book is important not only for negotiators but also for mediators. It’s easy to understand and contains a specific set of rules in a practical format. Each of the 41 rules is listed with a concise explanation of how and when to use it in negotiation. One of the nice features of this positive book is a script [which really illustrates that it is a “how to do it” book] at the end of each rule – actual language you can use during negotiation and adapt to a mediator skill set. As I read through the 76 page paperback book [you can easily carry it in your briefcase] I had, in my mind’s eye, the different applications for mediators in asking questions, framing, reframing, recognizing negotiation tactics and, in general, facilitating negotiations. It’s lessons will work exceedingly well! I thought you might like to know about this valuable resource! To email me, click Perry S. Itkin. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
<< Home