Let's Make a Deal

When a little boy I use to love to watch the television program Let's Make a Deal with my grandfather. It was fun to see the contestants struggle to get the best deal.  When I was at Cornell University one of my responsibilities was to co-manage the Cornell Baker Program in Real Estate Advisory Board.  This Board was made up some of the most  influential and successful individuals in the industry.  They were smart, slick, talented and transactional.  While a student at the Maxwell School of Public Administration at Syracuse University, I was taught and had guest lecturers who were leaders in negotiations, and diplomacy both in Syracuse and Washington D.C.  Attempting to negotiate a peace agreement is not a transactional deal.  It is a delicate process that requires individuals with vast experience, not a relative for former business friend in real estate.  That's like sending an airline pilot to fly the Artemis II.  An airline pilot is skilled smart and talented but the the space craft is beyond their capacity.  They are worlds apart.  Let's Make a Deal? or Let's reach and agreement?    timothymahar.org