Practical negotiation thinking for commercial leaders

Short, useful thinking on preparation, concession discipline, deal pressure, M&A negotiation and the commercial behaviours that protect value.

Last updated: August 2026

What you will find here

Short, practical thinking on preparation, concession discipline, deal pressure and M&A negotiation. Recent articles and commentary live on the Barefoot Negotiator newsletter.

What Chameleon writes about

Margin leakage

Where value disappears before the negotiation begins.

Concession discipline

How to trade value rather than give it away.

Sales and procurement pressure

How each side prepares, tests and responds.

M&A negotiation

How founders and deal teams protect value in sensitive conversations.

Behaviour under pressure

What happens when preparation meets emotion, hierarchy and time pressure.

What we write about

Margin leakage in commercial deals

How value disappears through weak preparation, loose scope and early discounting.

Concession discipline for sales and procurement teams

Practical ways to trade value rather than give it away under pressure.

M&A negotiation traps before heads of terms

Where founders, investors and deal teams can lose leverage before formal terms are agreed.

The Barefoot Negotiator newsletter

Regular negotiation thinking for commercial leaders, founders and deal teams who want sharper preparation before important conversations.

Latest Thinking

Negotiation Strategy: The Barefoot Negotiator Approach

2026-08-10

Latest thinking from Paul on building a repeatable negotiation strategy.

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The Barefoot Negotiator: Negotiation Training & M&A Advisory

2026-08-05

Latest post on the Barefoot Negotiator and Chameleon Partnership work.

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Pentagon CTO Says No Chance of Renewed...

2026-07-28

Commentary on defence procurement and negotiation.

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Reading is useful. Preparing is better.

If an important negotiation is already in motion, start with a free 30-minute Deal Leakage Diagnostic consultation. The paid diagnostic is £1,250-£2,500.

Book a free 30-minute Deal Leakage Diagnostic consultation