Career Negotiation, Planning for Negotiations, Business Negotiation May 27, 2011

Memorial Day Weekend and Negotiation

Memorial Day is observed on Monday, and most businesses (although not retail since there is a tradition of holiday sales) in the United States are on holiday. Most people will have a long holiday weekend, marking the unofficial start of summer. How does this relate to negotiation?

Chance to rest

Negotiators do best when they are well rested. A long holiday weekend is a good chance to relax and recharge.

Chance to remember

Memorial Day is, after all, a day to remember those who have sacrificed for the country. In towns and cities across the United States memorial commemorations and parades will be held in order to honor the U.S. military. It is a good time to think about goals and priorities, and about what is important.

Chance to plan

Although summer does not start officially until June 21, it is a great time to start planning for summer and for the third and fourth quarters of the year. Perhaps it is a chance to find new inspiration and new goals. Perhaps it is a chance to start a “swipe file.” Christopher Penn explains on his blog, "Awaken your Superhero," how creating a swipe file is a great way to charge up your creativity and inspiration. You collect materials, such as a great negotiation case study, an inspiring quote, a useful website, in a file (which can be electronic) to look back on and get some great ideas.

KARRASS wishes our Negotiation Space readers and friends an enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend! We won’t be posting on Monday in honor of the holiday, but we will back next Wednesday.