Publications

May 2013
Article

How to Negotiate with VCs

By: Deepak Malhotra

VC-entrepreneur partnership agreements often contain flaws that become highly damaging as the parties come up against issues of power, trust, and much more. Yet many of the flaws are systematic and predictable—and hence preventable. The author, a longtime consultant to... View Details

Keywords: Venture Capital; Negotiation Tactics; Entrepreneurship

Find at Harvard

October 1999 (Revised March 2000)
Background Note

Venture Capital Negotiations: VC versus Entrepreneur

By: Robert J. Robinson and Noam T. Wasserman

Introduces students to the challenging negotiations between venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. Explores interests, sources of negotiating power, barriers to reaching agreement, and common contractual terms. Describes how the parties try to reduce information... View Details

Keywords: Negotiation Tactics; Venture Capital; Entrepreneurship; Financial Services Industry

Fall 2024
Article

Redemption Mechanisms in Poison Pills: Evidence on Pill Design and Law Firm Effects

By: Olivier Baum and Guhan Subramanian

We present the first evidence on the incidence of “trip wire” versus “last look” poison pills. Using a hand-collected data set of 130 poison pills implemented and/or amended between January 1, 2020 and March 31, 2023, we find that pills are almost evenly divided... View Details

Keywords: Acquisition; Negotiation Tactics; Contracts

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2015
Chapter

"Level II" Negotiation Strategies: Advance Your Interests by Helping to Solve Their Internal Problems

Many negotiators have constituencies that must formally or informally approve an agreement. Traditionally, it is the responsibility of each negotiator to manage the internal conflicts and constituencies on his or her own side. Far less familiar are the many valuable... View Details

Keywords: Negotiation Tactics; Negotiation Participants; Negotiation Deal

12 PM – 1 PM EST, 15 Nov 2018
Webinars: Career

How to Prepare for High-Stakes Professional Events

Career trajectories depend on performing well during vital moments: Job interviews, VC pitches, a crucial presentation, a make-or-break sales call. Performing well depends on practice, knowledge, and skillbut it also depends on your emotions and mindset. View Details

2014
Working Paper

Handshaking Promotes Cooperative Dealmaking

By: Juliana Schroeder, Jane Risen, Francesca Gino and Michael I. Norton

Humans use subtle sources of information—like nonverbal behavior—to determine whether to act cooperatively or antagonistically when they negotiate. Handshakes are particularly consequential nonverbal gestures in negotiations because people feel comfortable initiating... View Details

Keywords: Negotiation Tactics; Cooperation; Societal Protocols

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2012
Lecture

How to Negotiate a Job Offer

By: Deepak Malhotra

Keywords: Job Interviews; Negotiation; Job Offer; Negotiation Tactics

09 Dec 2015
Research Event

How Do You Predict Demand and Set Prices For Products Never Sold Before?

in a digitally-transformed economy. “All of these decisions would be easy to make if I knew what consumer demand will be. The problem is that I have a lot of uncertainty in demand” All retailers face tricky tactical decisions related to... View Details

Keywords: by Carmen Nobel; Retail; Apparel & Accessories

2015
Chapter

Negotiations: Statistical Aspects

'Negotiation analysis' seeks to develop prescriptive theory and useful advice for negotiators and third parties. It generally emphasizes the parties' underlying interests, alternatives to negotiated agreement, approaches to productively manage the inherent tension... View Details

Keywords: Negotiation Preparation; Negotiation Tactics; Negotiation Participants

August 2008 (Revised July 2012)
Background Note

The Power to Persuade (Abridged)

By: Michael Watkins, G. Felda Hardymon and Ann Leamon

This note develops and explains a five-part framework for persuading others to support (or not oppose) a desired course of action. View Details

Keywords: Framework; Management Skills; Negotiation Tactics; Power and Influence; Cooperation

September 2002
Background Note

Presence of Mind

By: Michael A. Wheeler

This case is reflection on the importance of acquiring presence of mind in negotiations. Using a variety of metaphors, the case explores different ways for negotiators to achieve this selfawareness. Athletes experience the phenomenon of "being in the zone," artists and... View Details

Keywords: Management Skills; Negotiation Tactics; Negotiation Style; Interpersonal Communication; Decision Making

March 2000
Background Note

Venture Capitalist as Entrepreneur, The

By: Robert J. Robinson and Noam T. Wasserman

Introduces students to negotiations between venture capitalists (VCs) and the limited partners who provide the VCs' capital. Also discusses negotiations between VCs and other VCs, including those within a VC firm itself. Explores interests, sources of negotiating... View Details

Keywords: Business Model; Venture Capital; Capital; Negotiation Tactics; Entrepreneurship; Financial Services Industry

12 PM – 1 PM EST, 05 Dec 2016
Webinars: Career

The Startup Rules of Three

Do you have a brilliant idea for a startup? Becoming a successful entrepreneur requires more than just an inspiring concept and a plan for development. There is a reason as many as 75 percent of venture capital-backed startups fail, and nearly 95 percent of all... View Details

21 Dec 2018
News

A Four-Point Plan for Teresa May

Two years post-Brexit vote, Britain’s Prime Minister is faced with the unenviable task of negotiating what the controversial plan will actually look like for her fellow citizens. In this New York Times opinion piece, HBS professor Deepak Malhotra offers a four-point... View Details

August 1999 (Revised September 1999)
Case

Double Dealmaking in the Browser Wars (A)

Recounts two complex negotiations in which Netscape and Microsoft compete to win a browser contract with AOL--then later with KPMG. After reviewing the web and browser sectors, this case recounts AOL's dramatic negotiations with Netscape and with Microsoft over which... View Details

Keywords: Negotiation Process; Negotiation Tactics; Negotiation Deal; Web; Web Services Industry

October 1997 (Revised September 2000)
Case

Disney (A): From Disneyland to Disney World—Learning the Art of Land Assembly

By: Michael A. Wheeler and Georgia Levenson

Walt Disney is contemplating sites for a new theme park, building on the success of Disneyland in Anaheim. The focus is on Disney's strategy for land negotiation and acquisition, which is informed by his experience with the Anaheim park. View Details

Keywords: Negotiation Types; Negotiation Tactics; Acquisition; Tourism Industry; Entertainment and Recreation Industry; California

2014
Working Paper

Better Deals Through Level II Strategies: Advance Your Interests by Helping to Solve Their Internal Problems

Many negotiators have constituencies that must formally or informally approve an agreement. Traditionally, it is the responsibility of each negotiator to manage the internal conflicts and constituencies on his or her own side. Far less familiar are the many valuable... View Details

Keywords: Strategy; Negotiation Tactics; Negotiation Participants; Negotiation Style

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