The Gap Partnership

Will AI do more to help than hinder human intelligence? The debate is on! We were delighted to attend a recent event hosted by our CSR partner, Debate Mate, at London's iconic Kettner's Soho House & Co. Tim Clement-Jones CBE, Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on AI, chaired the discussion as Rose Luckin, Rob McCargow and Ife G. argued that AI will ultimately help rather than hinder human intelligence. Keanna Williams, Jonathan Gilmore and Ade Odusola provided a compelling counterpoint, sparking a gripping debate! As our Head of Innovation, Alexander Kröller, aptly put it, "Rather than fearing the transformative impact of AI on negotiation, we should look forward to the potential of better preparation and more intelligence in negotiations." Huge thanks to Scarlett McCabe, Margaret McCabe, Maeve Devi Carroll, Abby McGovern, Rushma Khan, Jessica Rolfe-Dix and the entire Debate Mate team for an unforgettable evening. #AI #Negotiation #DebateMate #Innovation 

Success in negotiation isn’t just about game day; it’s about preparation, adaptability and strategic thinking. 🏉💼 In our latest Tricks of My Trade, Russell Weir, a former pro rugby player turned negotiator, sits down with Katherine Edgecombe to explore the striking parallels between high-pressure sports and high-stakes deals.   Top three takeaways, whether you're on the pitch or at the negotiation table: 1️⃣ Reciprocity in leadership. Lead by example and ask for feedback on yourself. 2️⃣ Social proof in action. Success breeds success. 3️⃣ Preparation is everything. In both rugby and negotiation, confidence is built through preparation.   Just like rugby, negotiation has its own season cycle: pre-season, mid-season, peak season and off-season. Knowing when to train, when to push and when to reflect is key to long-term success. Champions are made in the off-season.   Tune in to The Negotiation Society podcast for a fascinating deep dive into the mindset of a winning negotiator (and athlete). Link in the comment below and contact us to find out more on negotiating through the seasons! 👇    #Negotiation #Leadership #TricksOfMyTrade #Sports #Rugby #HighPerformance

Negotiation isn’t just about price. It’s about value, strategy and impact.   At micebook Expo 2025, our Procurement Partner Kevin Lecompte took part in a panel discussion on "Bridging the gap," revealing how companies can navigate procurement dynamics to win big.   🎯 Key takeaways: 👉 Beyond cost, procurement values strategic alignment, risk management and supplier reliability. Kevin unpacked what truly drives decision-making 👉 Creativity counts. Kevin shared how to frame innovative ideas and measurable impact to stand out without being trapped in cost-driven talks 👉 Understanding internal dynamics is key. Kevin offered practical tips on managing complex relationships between client stakeholders and procurement for stronger partnerships. Need support with procurement negotiation strategies or negotiation execution? Contact us to learn how we can help you strengthen your bids and negotiation outcomes.   #MicebookExpo #ProcurementInsights #EventStrategy #CorporateEvents #SupplierSuccess #NegotiationExcellence #StrategicNegotiation

Reminder, UPCOMING WEBINAR! How can mastering internal negotiations boost team effectiveness and align stakeholders?   Join us on Thursday 6th February at 10:00 am EST / 3:00 pm UKT / 4:00 pm CET where keynote speakers Esther Shearwood (she/her/hers) and Jeffrey Wozniak will: * Explore the unique dynamics of internal negotiations, focusing on the challenges and opportunities you face when balancing competing interests and priorities * Provide practical insights for building a strong negotiation foundation * Discuss strategies to prepare for negotiations to foster positive relationships   Register now to secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/e3SPSvbm #webinar #internalnegotiation #strategy #negotiation #negotiationplanning #negotiationconsulting

Price is always top of mind for customers, but what really drives buying decisions in retail? In this Tricks of My Trade of a retail buyer podcast episode, Shailee Desai sits down with Kat Krakowiak, a negotiation consultant at The Gap Partnership with over a decade of experience in retail.   From managing category strategies to balancing short-term wins with long-term growth, Kat shares what it takes to navigate the high-stakes world of buying.  Key highlights: ✔️ How do retailers plan for the year ahead?  ✔️ What role does negotiation play in securing the best deals?  ✔️ And how can suppliers position themselves for success?  Tune in The Negotiation Society podcast by clicking on the link in the comment below as we unpack the hidden complexities behind every product on the shelf.

In today's dynamic business landscape, strategic negotiation isn't just a skill, it's the lifeblood of organizational success.    In his latest article, Alexander Christian Zhang explores how weaving negotiation into the fabric of an organizations culture can reshape the way teams think, collaborate and make decisions. The result? A lasting competitive advantage that propels businesses forward in an ever-evolving marketplace.   To find out more, click here 👉 https://bit.ly/42nE8Fv   #NegotiationConsulting #NegotiationStrategy #NegotiationCulture 

In partnership with DutchCham (Dutch Chamber of Commerce Singapore), we’re hosting an exclusive Lunch & Learn session, led by Maxim Westerouen van Meeteren, Manager, APAC, The Gap Partnership.   Together, we’ll explore how negotiation can drive sustainable outcomes by transforming strategies into action, embedding sustainability into deals and trading key variables effectively.   Excited to welcome our invited guests to this collaborative event!   Nick Harvey Lucia Roccatagliata Anu Mishra Kawdiya Sharon Chua Ashley C. John LaRose Alexander Christian Zhang

Does your business have clear sustainability strategies and goals?   Ask yourself: 👉 How well is this strategy translated into tangible results with your customers and suppliers? 👉 How aligned are your teams and leaders on the value of making progress on sustainability versus other key commercial metrics and goals? 👉 Are your teams confident in effectively embedding sustainability within a commercial negotiation agenda, linking the issues to generate incremental value? We recently hosted a two-day workshop bringing together senior leaders in procurement, supply chain and sustainability to discuss these questions. We shared insight, heard from experts, debated challenges and explored how to embed sustainability into every stage of the negotiation process. This collaboration resulted in a plan detailing the essential steps businesses can take to transform sustainability goals into actionable outcomes through effective engagement with key suppliers.   🎥 Curious to hear more? Watch our short film for the inside scoop.   We are running a similar event with senior sales leaders in 2025. If you’d like to talk to us about how we can support you in this area or you would like to join our next event, please get in touch with dan.anderson@thegappartnership.com.   Special thanks to our partners Planet Mark, Bemari, Ever Sustainable and Debate Mate for all your support at the event.    Dan Anderson Pia Costea Selzer-Plon Graham Botwright Jordan G. Steinohrt Emma Weare Kat Anderton Thomas Audoly 歐德利 Martin Huxtable Brice Vert Rose Vanhecke Meredith Ford Marina Bradford Martha McPherson Jonathan Withey Maeve Devi Carroll Hugo Van Mol Rushma Khan   #Sustainability #Negotiation #Procurement

"Whatever the nature of our engagement, rest assured, we value your trust beyond everything and we have the governance in place to prove it."   Partner and consulting lead Chris Atkins highlights in his latest article how governance is a business imperative in negotiation consulting, and explains that our commitment to it serves as a dual shield, protecting both our clients, and our integrity.   Our promise to you? We'll never represent both sides.   Click here to read Chris's article bit.ly/3C35MNn.   #NegotiationConsulting #NegotiationGovernance #Trust

Reminder, UPCOMING WEBINAR! How can mastering internal negotiations boost team effectiveness and align stakeholders?   Join us on Thursday 6th February at 10:00 am EST / 3:00 pm UKT / 4:00 pm CET where keynote speakers Esther Shearwood (she/her/hers) and Jeffrey Wozniak will: * Explore the unique dynamics of internal negotiations, focusing on the challenges and opportunities you face when balancing competing interests and priorities * Provide practical insights for building a strong negotiation foundation * Discuss strategies to prepare for negotiations to foster positive relationships   Register now to secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/e3SPSvbm #webinar #internalnegotiation #strategy #negotiation #negotiationplanning #negotiationconsulting