· Things/Lessons I’ve Learned

Today I learned a few things about negotiating deals between two companies trying to build a good relationship. In general it's probably not the best idea to come into the negotiations with your guns ablazin. It is in your companies best interest to negotiate the best deal. However, it is also in your companies best interest not to have the other side of the table leaving the meeting feeling like they just got screwed. At a minimum it is worth the time to explain in detail why a specific outcome is required for the deal to move forward. Better yet, spend time hashing out ideas with the other company that will sweeten the pot and keep the relationship a positive one. If after deliberation a method to sweeten the deal cannot be found it shows that you at least made a whole hearted attempt and that maybe the next proposal will fall more equally.

aaron.berndt

Hawaii Repair Shop

· Things/Lessons I’ve Learned

Today I helped write my first Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), a contract which basically states the statement of work each company is going to complete. Fun Stuff.

· Any good that I have done

Yesterday I did two goods which I am pretty proud of.
1. Bought gifts for a toy drive at work. This is something my parents instilled in me. I chose a few super cool Star Wars figures.
2. I made a loan to a small business in Kenya, through www.kiva.org. I helped a guy buy a motorcycle to expand his taxi business. Check it out.

http://www.kiva.org/lender/aberndt

· Good things that have happened to me

I had a free lunch with a supplier. Free food is always good.

· Any new insights

During lunch my sales rep told us about his goal of opening up a helicopter repair shop in Hawaii. He had a plan and was starting his early steps to make it happen. I like it when people have big exciting goals, it makes life fun.


aaron.berndt

"Daily" Posts

Clearly I'm not writing and updating this blog enough to be of any use. In order to get my fingers moving more often I am going to try the following excersize and see how it goes. Each day I would like to record the following.

· Things/Lessons I've Learned
· Any good that I have done
· Good things that have happened to me.
· Any new insights
· Anything else that seems like it could be of importance

I might not have answers for each of these everyday, but taking note of them and writing them down seems like a good idea.

aaron.berndt