Welcome to the Team: Magdalena Sáenz

We are delighted to welcome Magdalena Sáenz to the C-TO-BE team. After more than 25 years in international leadership roles, Magdalena supports leaders and teams in recognizing their potential and unlocking it through inclusive collaboration. 
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ZEITGEIST On the Cutting Edge

What we are talking about: When Ursula von der Leyen stated on March 9, 2026, during a meeting with EU ambassadors in Brussels that Europe needs a “more realistic and interest-driven foreign policy,” it was initially an international affairs statement.
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Off to Porto! Writing Retreat on “Conflict Management”

Bem-vindos! Porto is a city that inspires instantly. Narrow streets, views of the Douro River, historic façades, and small cafés create an atmosphere that both slows you down and sparks creative energy. Exactly the right setting for focused thinking and writing.
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Welcome to the Team: Milena Hardt

We are delighted to welcome Milena Hardt to the C-TO-BE team. Milena is a professional voice trainer, speech scientist, and rhetoric coach. 
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From Strategy to Execution

Once strategy is clear, execution has to start somewhere. In part 11 we discussed that AI is not your strategy but a tool. This post outlines a practical entry point – and why negotiations are often a smart place to begin.
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ZEITGEIST On the Cutting Edge

Let’s start here: Lindsey Vonn knew she was taking an extremely high risk. She chose to start anyway. After the heavy crash, she essentially said: no regrets. We are not here to debate whether that was courageous or reckless. Instead, let’s draw a parallel from the world of high-performance athletes to high-performance negotiations:
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Welcome to the Team: Eva Zizelmann

We are delighted to welcome Eva Zizelmann to the C-TO-BE team. As a systemic coach, organizational developer, and trainer, Eva has been supporting companies in development and change processes for many years. 
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AI as a Strategic Lever – From Planning to Negotiation

AI is a tool, not a strategy. This post explains why strategy still starts the old-school way - and where AI truly changes the game, especially in negotiations.
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Structure You Can Trust: How Smart Checklists Turn the WIN Process into Daily Practice

Great negotiators don’t rely on memory – they rely on structure. And in complex environments, structure is what protects value.
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Conversational AI Training: A Live Look

Imagine you’re about to enter a tough negotiation – a supplier with leverage, a stakeholder under pressure, or a client demanding the impossible. Now imagine you’ve already practiced that conversation in a safe, realistic environment.
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Navigating Complexity in Negotiations: Lessons from Harvard’s Executive Training Program

Thank you to Harvard Law School for creating these opportunities for intercultural growth and professional development through real-world case studies and global best practices in the Executive Training Program „ManagingComplexNegotiations“ in December 2025.
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Tier 3 Modules & KPIs: From Trainer to Advisor

Let’s make AI tangible. Our Negotiation Intelligence Modules aren’t chatbots – they’re role-specific assistants built around how real negotiators work. Each is designed to slot seamlessly into your WIN workflow:
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Tier 3 in Practice: How Process Creates Safe and Effective AI Acceleration

Once we understand both the strengths and limits of AI, the real question becomes: How do we use it responsibly and effectively in negotiations?
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Negotiating in the Age of AI - An Interview with Dr. Markus Rarbach

Hello Markus, you’ve led high-responsibility negotiations for more than 20 years. Looking back, what’s the core takeaway for you?
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Tier 3 Context: Promise and Challenge of AI in Negotiations

AI is already inside our negotiations, whether we acknowledge it or not. People draft emails with AI, summarize contracts with AI, and even ask AI how to respond to tough stakeholders.
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Tier 2 in Practice: Be Organized for more Consistency, Speed, Risk Reduction

What does structured negotiation look like in action? Consistency, speed, and risk reduction.
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Merry Christmas from C-TO-BE

A year of continuous implementation lies behind us: C-TO-BE trainers and consultants supported organizations in their development, facilitated workshops, coached leaders, and delivered selected skills through tailored trainings.
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Tier 2: Structure Wins with the WIN Process (6P)

Even excellent negotiators fail when time pressure or handovers destroy preparation. Tier 2 fixes that with WIN (Working Instruction Negotiation), our six-phase loop from strategy to follow-through.
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Tier 1: The Hidden Skill Set Behind Every Successful Negotiator

Before templates or AI, one constant drives every negotiation: the human being in the room. Tier 1 builds the core capabilities that turn reactive negotiators into strategic operators - the foundation every high-stakes team relies on.
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Improving Negotiation Results with the “Three-Tier System”

Winning negotiations isn’t about luck or charisma. It’s about how effectively your organization builds, activates, and scales its negotiation system. Our C-TO-BE. Negotiation Intelligence model strengthens that system through three progressive tiers that reinforce one another.
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Negotiating in 2026: From Reactive to Strategic

If your team’s negotiations still feel like heroic firefighting, you’re paying a premium - in time, value leakage, and stress. 2026 changes the game. Negotiations have become faster and more complex.
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Coming Soon: A 12-Part C-TO-BE Series on Negotiation Performance in the Age of AI

At C-TO-BE we’ve spent over 20 years helping organizations build negotiation and leadership capability. Today we’re publishing this series because the business context has shifted: Technology (AI, digital data, fast-moving ecosystems) has created new capabilities, while competition, global supply chains and stakeholder complexity have intensified the pressures.
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Between Deadlines and Constant Pressure: How Mindfulness Makes the Difference

The tech team of a software company starts each daily meeting with a “focus minute” – a 60-second breathing exercise combined with a short reflection question: “Where do I want to direct my energy today?” The results: greater presence in meetings, fewer interruptions, and, according to the internal mood barometer, a noticeable improvement in team dynamics.
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Staying Present with Mindfulness, Even During Stressful Periods

Sina Hübner is a certified MBSR instructor, stress coach, and former PR consultant. Today, she helps people develop a healthy approach to stress – through mindfulness, self-care, and conscious pauses. Since July 2025, Sina has been supporting us with mindfulness trainings. We spoke with her about her journey and her work.
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NEW in October 2025! C-TO-BE Negotiation Intelligence: Negotiating in Complex Situations with the 3-Tier Approach

Negotiation is part of everyday business. Yet things become truly challenging when situations grow complex — multiple parties, time pressure, or unclear interests. This is where a strategic approach becomes essential. With our 3-Tier Approach, we provide companies with a structured framework that brings clarity, confidence, and efficiency to complex negotiations.
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C-TO-BE Strategy Meeting 2025 at Lake Starnberg

In late summer, we treated ourselves to a special break: our team gathered at Lake Starnberg – finally in person again, not just virtually from Munich, Kassel, and Berlin.
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Cultural Competence is not a nice-to-have – it is Critical to Success

Molly, you are a true boundary-crosser between cultures, industries, and disciplines – a Sino-Malaysian by birth, a trained chemist, and a passionate intercultural trainer. What led you onto this path?
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Farewell to Michaela Doepke

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Michaela Doepke, who supported C-TO-BE for many years with her mindfulness trainings. After a long illness, she passed away on August 29, surrounded by her family.
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Onboarding & Retention of International Professionals

Ana from Colombia starts her job as a Global Purchasing Manager in Germany highly motivated – yet she resigns after just two months. No structured onboarding, no cultural orientation, no real sense of belonging in the team. Result: talent lost, costs high.
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New Online Workshop Series: Mental Health First Aid

Approximately 27.8% of adults (around 17.8 million people) meet the criteria for a mental illness each year. In 2024, mental health issues accounted for around 17.4% of all sick leaves among DAK-insured employees, with an average of 342 lost workdays per 100 insured individuals.
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Successful Collaboration with India – Intercultural Competence as a Business Booster

A project involving an Indian team is delayed – yet no one seems concerned. A meeting is friendly but ends without clear decisions. Sound familiar? Anyone working internationally will recognize such situations – especially in dynamic business settings involving India. 
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Donald Trump’s Negotiation Tactic Is a One-Trick Pony! Always the same: “Deal or I walk away… Deal or I walk away… Deal or I walk away…”

In real-life negotiations, we often encounter one-trick ponies – people who rely on a single strategy: pressure, toughness, dominance. While this might deliver short-term results, it blocks relationships, trust, and sustainable success in the long run. The true art of negotiation lies in choosing the right tool at the right moment.
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Welcome to the Team: Dr. Thomas Pallien

We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Thomas Pallien as a new trainer in the C-TO-BE network!
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Construction Sites Worldwide: When Technical Expertise Is No Longer Enough

They are multitaskers, temporary managers, bridge builders between cultures, and on-site troubleshooters all at once. International site managers walk a fine line between technical expertise, leadership, and intercultural sensitivity.
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Beyond Borders: Why “Negotiating Globally” Matters More Than Ever

Is it still possible to negotiate based on facts in the USA? How do you negotiate in China or India? If you want to conquer global markets, you need to understand cultural differences and react flexibly to them in negotiations. International professionals negotiate more confidently, secure better deals and minimize risks. Adaptability and strategic foresight are essential.
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Be Bold: Take the Leap!

Sometimes, it takes courage to take the next step—whether it's tackling a new challenge, stepping into unfamiliar territory, or negotiating under tough conditions. But those who dare, win! We've got the right tools for anyone ready to dive in and stay confident.
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What You Always Wanted to Know About Negotiation Consulting

Negotiations are at the heart of numerous business and personal decisions. But what truly sets professional C-TO-BE negotiation consulting apart?
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Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2025

A year full of negotiations, development and growth lies behind us: In March we met for strategy days in Berlin, in August in Starnberg. Thanks also to the speakers of our fireside evenings, who always share new knowledge and interesting reflection. 
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Digital Negotiation Mastery: E-Auctions Made Simple

In the world of negotiation, e-auctions are a modern yet often underestimated method to achieve efficient and transparent business deals. Combining the principles of traditional auctions with digital technology, they enable companies to transform complex negotiations into structured, data-driven processes. But what makes e-auctions unique, and how do they differ from traditional negotiations?
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Welcome to the Team: Christian Wunderlich

We are delighted that our C-TO-BE team is expanding and will now benefit from Christian Wunderlich’s expertise in sales and leadership, acquiring new customers, price negotiations, and change and conflict management.
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Welcome to the Team: Björn Hammerling

We are delighted that our C-TO-BE team is expanding and will now benefit from Björn Hammerling’s expertise in sales consulting, process optimization, and key account management.
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C-TO-BE Strategy Days in Ambach. An Enjoyable Time

When we work at three different locations, it’s even more enjoyable to occasionally meet in person. Summer is vacation time, and for C-TO-BE, summer is also the time for our strategy days. There's much to discuss, along with time for interesting conversations, good food, and fruitful exchanges.
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Can I Trust You? How to Deal with Lies in Negotiations

Lying is part of daily routine in negotiations. Those who skillfully deceive, trick, and cheat can gain a strategic advantage. Bluffing leads to information asymmetry and thus dilutes the possibility of finding optimal agreements in negotiations.
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Coming Soon! VIRTUAL NEGOTIATION. AN APPROACH TO ONLINE NEGOTIATION is Going to be Published in May 2024

Mastering Your Next Online Negotiation with Confidence! Did you know that major corporations are already closing billion-dollar deals via platforms like MS Teams & Co.? Online negotiations will continue to be part of our future, as they save resources such as travel time and expenses.
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Negotiation Skills Training in Singapore and 5 Very Useful Tips When Negotiating a Deal With Singaporeans

Singapore is the city of superlatives in Asia: it is not only one of the most expensive cities in the world, but also one of the cleanest and most modern. In Singapore, numerous sights and highlights, unique architecture, and lots of trends await tourists and business people alike.
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E-Mail Negotiations

Notice! When e-mail is best for negotiation Meeting face-to-face, whether in person or via video, may seem like the gold standard for negotiation, but negotiating via e-mail can offer the following three advantages:
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Do you Still Want to Improve Your Negotiation Skills? These are the 7 Best Books on how to Negotiate

Your ability to negotiate with your bosses, investors, customers, and colleagues determines whether your career or your business flies high or falls flat. These are the seven books about negotiation that every negotiator should own, read and master:
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How to Deal With Threats: 4 Negotiation Tips for Dealing With Conflict at the Bargaining Table

How should you respond when the other side threatens to walk away, file a lawsuit, or damage your reputation? Sooner or later most of us faced with threats at the negotiation table. Direct counterattacks are rarely the answer. They could launch an uncontrollable spiral of conflict. Alternatively, you might be tempted to immediately give in to your opponent’s demands, which would probably only reinforce their domineering tactics. The Project on Negotiation recommends the DEAL approach. It allows you to redirect talks toward a focus on each other’s interests. Below you will find negotiation tips for using the DEAL method.
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Why it Could be Smart to use the Contrast Effect in Price Negotiations

In price negotiations, it’s always better when someone accepts your offer rather than rejecting it, right? Actually, rejection can sometimes be a smart way to get to “yes” on your second-best offer.
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What Means Anchoring in Negotiations?

Anchoring in a negotiation involves "naming your price" or fixing your negotiating position through declaration of goals that may or may not be readily apparent to your counterpart. Anchoring has the effect of shifting the negotiation away from a collaborative process to one of haggling. It starts with an opening statement, which is usually followed by a counteroffer.
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Should Negotiatiors Avoid the Word "Deal"?

Usually closing the deal is the final goal negotiators are striving for. But skilled negotiators know that everyone who is involved in a cooperation often benefits when dealmakers focus even well beyond the finish line.
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How to Overcome Intercultural Barriers at the Negotiation Table

Why you should consider these three tips for avoiding intercultural barriers when preparing for negotiation between two parties from different cultures: Are you well prepared, do both sides speak English fluently, and do you have best of intentions? Great! But watch out: Although everything theoretically should work well, business negotiators from different cultures face additional special challenges.
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Mind-Body Connection Integrated in Many Trainings

We look forward to working together with Stefanie Konrad, an experienced yoga teacher. However, Steffi is more than a yoga teacher. Her main job is being a Process Manager at a chemical company. Steffi knows the corporate world by heart, and she worked at a home office during the pandemic. Why not bringing both worlds together? Relaxing your mind & body can help ease stress in business. It can also relieve anxiety, depression, and concentration problems. As a result, we proudly present four modules that will be integrated in many of our trainings.
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Quiz: How Much Does Personality in Negotiation Matter?

How the “Big 5” (OCEAN-Model) influences our negotiation performance. We tend to have strong beliefs about which personality characteristics help or hinder us in negotiation, but does research on the topic confirm our perception?
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Lessons in Domestic Diplomacy

It happens every night when parents start to discuss how to distribute tasks of their life while socially distancing. Who’s waking up early with the kids? Who’s responsible for home schooling? What do you mean you forgot to pick up the toilet paper? Maybe then she will cross her arms and stare at the ceiling. He will throw up his hands and raise his voice. Finally, one of them will storm out of the room.
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Online Negotiation in a Time of Social Distance

The COVID-19 pandemic has reduced face-to-face meetings and travel, but deal making is still possible. Here you will find the best tips on how to negotiating virtually.
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Business Presentation Skills are a Critical Factor for Leaders and Sales Managers in UAE if They Want to Succeed

Millions of business presentations are given across the globe every day and thousands of presentations in Dubai, UAE. The need for managers and team members of a Chemical Company to give sales-pitches has become the norm. Yet, most of us don't like standing up and speaking in front of others. It can be a stressful experience, and for few they are overwhelmed by the fear of giving presentations.  As a result of this, business presentations could be highly ineffective. They have unclear messages, fail to motivate or engage audiences, add little or no value and are frankly boring. The good news: it doesn't need to be that way.
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8 Body Language Tips to Improve Your Negotiation Skills

Strong negotiation skills are hugely advantageous throughout one’s life, from presentations to negotiations. These skills largely rest on your ability to back up your words with physical actions that exude openness, honesty, and confidence. This fosters trust and increases the other party’s desire to react cooperatively and reach agreement. Studies have shown that people are 80% more likely to remember information that was communicated to them both orally and visually.
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Presenting in English for Non-Native Speakers

As a business coach and international management trainer, I have worked with hundreds of current and future leaders who are bright and capable — and who quickly lose their confidence and competence when making business presentations. For those who need to present in English when it isn’t their native language — the challenge and the stress can feel even higher. Meanwhile, the need for leaders to be able to present in English is growing at a rapid pace, because English is required for global collaboration and global work in most companies.
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Negotiation Skills Training in Singapore - Top Tips for Business Negotiations in South East Asia

In the end of May I was giving two negotiation skills trainings for a German chemical company at their sales office in Singapore. The participants came from different cultures as Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Singapore. Thanks to this great experience, I would like to share some findings with you on how to negotiate with customers or suppliers in South East Asia.
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