Lynda L. Lock's Blog, page 5

The inexplicably destructive negotiating processes of Donald Trump by Prof. David Honig

 The best, most cogent and elegantly simple explanation into the inexplicably destructive negotiating processes of the president, by Prof. David Honig of Indiana University.

Everybody I know should read this accurate and enlightening piece...“I’m going to get a little wonky and write about Donald Trump and negotiations. For those who don't know, I'm an adjunct professor at Indiana University - Robert H. McKinney School of Law and I teach negotiations. Okay, here goes.Trump, as most of us know, is the credited author of "The Art of the Deal," a book that was actually ghost-written by a man named Tony Schwartz, who was given access to Trump and wrote based upon his observations. If you've read The Art of the Deal, or if you've followed Trump lately, you'll know, even if you didn't know the label, that he sees all dealmaking as what we call "distributive bargaining."Distributive bargaining always has a winner and a loser. It happens when there is a fixed quantity of something and two sides are fighting over how it gets distributed. Think of it as a pie and you're fighting over who gets how many pieces. In Trump's world, the bargaining was for a building, or for construction work, or subcontractors. He perceives a successful bargain as one in which there is a winner and a loser, so if he pays less than the seller wants, he wins. The more he saves the more he wins.The other type of bargaining is called integrative bargaining. In integrative bargaining the two sides don't have a complete conflict of interest, and it is possible to reach mutually beneficial agreements. Think of it, not a single pie to be divided by two hungry people, but as a baker and a caterer negotiating over how many pies will be baked at what prices, and the nature of their ongoing relationship after this one gig is over.The problem with Trump is that he sees only distributive bargaining in an international world that requires integrative bargaining. He can raise tariffs, but so can other countries. He can't demand they not respond. There is no defined end to the negotiation and there is no simple winner and loser. There are always more pies to be baked. Further, negotiations aren't binary. China's choices aren't (a) buy soybeans from US farmers, or (b) don't buy soybeans. They can also (c) buy soybeans from Russia, or Argentina, or Brazil, or Canada, etc. That completely strips the distributive bargainer of his power to win or lose, to control the negotiation.One of the risks of distributive bargaining is bad will. In a one-time distributive bargain, e.g. negotiating with the cabinet maker in your casino about whether you're going to pay his whole bill or demand a discount, you don't have to worry about your ongoing credibility or the next deal. If you do that to the cabinet maker, you can bet he won't agree to do the cabinets in your next casino, and you're going to have to find another cabinet maker.There isn't another Canada.So when you approach international negotiation, in a world as complex as ours, with integrated economies and multiple buyers and sellers, you simply must approach them through integrative bargaining. If you attempt distributive bargaining, success is impossible. And we see that already.Trump has raised tariffs on China. China responded, in addition to raising tariffs on US goods, by dropping all its soybean orders from the US and buying them from Russia. The effect is not only to cause tremendous harm to US farmers, but also to increase Russian revenue, making Russia less susceptible to sanctions and boycotts, increasing its economic and political power in the world, and reducing ours. Trump saw steel and aluminum and thought it would be an easy win, BECAUSE HE SAW ONLY STEEL AND ALUMINUM - HE SEES EVERY NEGOTIATION AS DISTRIBUTIVE. China saw it as integrative, and integrated Russia and its soybean purchase orders into a far more complex negotiation ecosystem.Trump has the same weakness politically. For every winner, there must be a loser. And that's just not how politics works, not over the long run.For people who study negotiations, this is incredibly basic stuff, negotiations 101, definitions you learn before you even start talking about styles and tactics. And here's another huge problem for us.Trump is utterly convinced that his experience in a closely held real estate company has prepared him to run a nation, and therefore he rejects the advice of people who spent entire careers studying the nuances of international negotiations and diplomacy. But the leaders on the other side of the table have not eschewed expertise, they have embraced it. And that means they look at Trump and, given his very limited tool chest and his blindly distributive understanding of negotiation, they know exactly what he is going to do and exactly how to respond to it. From a professional negotiation point of view, Trump isn't even bringing checkers to a chess match. He's bringing a quarter that he insists of flipping for heads or tails, while everybody else is studying the chess board to decide whether it's better to open with Najdorf or Grünfeld.”— David HonigAll 

US Politics Unspun - excerpt from BBC article by Andrew Zurcher

 

Image by Mike Baumeister

January 24th 2025 

"As apprehensive political and corporate elite watched, Trump warned other nations to move their manufacturing into the US or face additional tariffs – which he said would generate trillions of dollars in new US revenue. It was the latest bit of sabre-rattling by the new president, even if he has yet to make any concrete moves on the matter.

World leaders are now trying to figure out how to handle Trump’s return to power. By the end of his first presidency, they had an established playbook for the sometimes-mercurial leader that leaned heavily on flattery, lavish displays of pomp and ceremony during foreign visits, and clearly defined transactional benefits for the US. Give him a win – preferably with a dollar figure attached – and relations would improve.

There are signs that the playbook is still in use. At Davos, Trump touted an offer by Saudi Arabia to invest $600bn in the US (although the president said he would urge Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman– “a fantastic guy” – to round it up to an even trillion). 

The New York Times reported that Ukrainian officials had approached Trump’s team, willing to pay millions for the Ukrainian-language rights to Melania Trump’s autobiography."

‌

25% Trade Tariff destroys historic partnership between Canada and USA

I am proudly Canadian.

My ancestors immigrated from Ireland and France back in the mid-1700s. Our country has always been a friend to our American cousins. Donald Trump and his billionaire buddies have destroyed the relationship.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO UNFRIEND OR UNFOLLOW ME! Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's speech in full, in response to Trump's aggression: (I admit, I have not always been a fan of Justin Trudeau, but this speech was spot on.) "Tonight, first, I want to speak directly to Americans, our closest friends and neighbours. This is a choice that, yes, will harm Canadians, but beyond that, it will have real consequences for you, the American people, as I have consistently said, tariffs again against Canada will put your jobs at risk, potentially shutting down American auto assembly plants and other manufacturing facilities, they will raise costs for you, including food at the grocery stores and gas at the pump.
They will impede your access to an affordable supply of vital goods crucial for us, security such as nickel, potash, uranium, steel, and aluminum, they will violate the free trade agreement that the President and I, along with our Mexican partner, negotiated and signed a few years ago. But it doesn't have to be this way, as President John F Kennedy said many years ago, geography has made us neighbours. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners, and necessity has made us allies.
That rang true for many decades prior to President Kennedy's time in office, and in the decades since, from the beaches of Normandy to the mountains of the Korean Peninsula, from the fields of Flanders to the streets of Kandahar, we have fought and died alongside you during your darkest hours during the Iranian hostage crisis, those 444 days, we worked around the clock from our embassy to get your innocent compatriots home during the summer of 2005 when Hurricane Katrina ravaged your great city of New Orleans, or mere weeks ago when we sent water bombers to tackle the wildfires in California and during the day, the world stood still, September 11, 2001, when we provided refuge to stranded passengers and planes, we were always there standing with you, grieving with you, the American people, together, we've built the most successful economic, military and security partnership the world has ever seen, a relationship that has been the envy of the world. Yes, we've had our differences in the past, but we've always found a way to get past them.
As I've said before, if President Trump wants to usher in a new golden age for the United States, the better path is to partner with Canada, not to punish us.
Canada has critical minerals, reliable and affordable energy, stable, democratic institutions, shared values, and the natural resources you need. Canada has the ingredients necessary to build a booming and secure partnership for the North American economy and we stand at the ready to work together.
Let's take a moment to talk about our shared border. Our border is already safe and secure, but there's always, always more work to do. Less than one percent of fentanyl and less than one percent of illegal crossings into the United States come from Canada. But hearing concerns from both Canadians and Americans, including the American President himself, we're taking action.
We launched a $1.3 billion border plan that is already showing results, because we too are devastated by the scourge that is fentanyl, a drug that has torn apart communities and caused so much pain and torment for countless families across Canada, just like in the United States, a drug that we too want to see wiped from the face of this earth, a drug whose traffickers must be punished as neighbors, we must work collaboratively to fix this.
Unfortunately, the actions taken today by the White House split us apart instead of bringing us together.
Tonight, I am announcing Canada will be responding to the US trade action with 25 percent tariffs against $155 billion worth of American goods.
This will include immediate tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods as of Tuesday, followed by further tariffs on $125 billion worth of American products in 21 days to allow Canadian companies and supply chains to seek to find alternatives.
Our response will also be far-reaching and include everyday items such as American beer, wine, and bourbon, fruits and fruit juices, including Orange Juice, along with vegetables, perfume, clothing, and shoes, it'll include major consumer products like household appliances, furniture and sports equipment and materials like lumber and plastics, along with much, much more.
And as part of our response, we are considering with the provinces and territories, several non-tariff measures, including some relating to critical minerals, energy procurement, and other partnerships. We will stand strong for Canada. We will stand strong to ensure our countries continue to be the best neighbors in the world.
With all that said, I also want to speak directly to Canadians in this moment. I'm sure many of you are anxious, but I want you to know we are all in this together, the Canadian government, Canadian businesses, Canadian organized labor, Canadian civil society.
Canada's premiers and tens of millions of Canadians from coast to coast to coast are united. This is Team Canada at its best.
I spoke with the President of Mexico. We committed to work together to face them down.I have something to ask Canadians, to be in solidarity together. I ask you to be here for each other. Now is also the time to choose Canada. There are many ways for you to do your part. It might mean checking the labels at the supermarket and picking Canadian-made products.
It might mean opting for Canadian rye over Kentucky bourbon, or foregoing Florida orange juice altogether.
It might mean changing your summer vacation plans to stay here in Canada and explore the many national provincial parks, historical sites, and tourist destinations our great country has to offer. Support our manufacturers, our workers, entrepreneurs, and artists. It might mean doing all of these things, or finding your own way to stand up for Canada in this moment, we must pull together, because we love this country.
We pride ourselves on braving the cold during the long winter months. We don't like to beat our chests, but we're always out there waving the maple leaf loudly and proudly to celebrate an Olympic gold medal city.
Canada is home to bountiful resources, breathtaking beauty, the proud people who've come from every corner of the globe to forge a nation with a unique identity, by embracing and celebrating. We don't pretend to be perfect, but Canada is the best country on Earth.
There's nowhere else that I and our 41 million-strong family would rather be, and we will get through this challenge just as we've done countless times before, together.
Thank you. Merci." Justin Trudeau.

The benefits of getting to know your neighbours (the Canadian spelling)

Sir Fuzz-butt, The Sparkinator

At o'dark-hundred this morning when Sparky and I headed out for hisfirst walk of the day, I noticed a young woman standing outside the mainentrance of the south tower in our complex. She was holding a charming, and judgingby the size of his or her feet, a soon-to-be much larger, black puppy in herarms.

“I forgot my keys,” she explained.

December in Canada is dark and chilly. Luckily today’stemperature was not the bone-freezing cold that we can get, but was too cold to bestuck outside.

“My fob will get you inside the lobby, but I don’tthink it will work for the elevator,” I said, as Sparky and I crossed thedriveway to her building.

My electronic fob unlatched the main door, and wecontinued across the lobby to the elevators hoping that maybe, just maybe, Icould activate the elevator for her floor.

December morning

Nope! It wouldn’t open the stairway doors either, soshe had to hang out in the lobby until another resident from her building arrivedand activated the elevators. It’s the downside to living in a moderately securecomplex. No electronic fob. No access. 

It’s happened to me, and a few others.

“Do you know any of your neighbours? Someone that youcan call on the intercom, and ask for help?” I asked.

“Not really,” she said.

And that isn’t surprising in a city, even a small-ishcity of 40,000 residents. It’s easy to just nod a greeting and keep walking.

Beatty St before condo conversionBut, I’m a small-town girl at heart. Many of theplaces that I have lived were less than 5000 residents and I knew enough peoplethat I could get whatever help I needed. 

Even when Lawrie and I lived in aconverted warehouse on Beatty Street in downtown Vancouver, we made a point ofgetting to know the other residents. It started with a building-wide roamingcocktail party that turned into close friendships that lasted for many years.

Close friends, Isla MujeresIn 2007, when we moved to live full-time on IslaMujeres, Mexico, we knew only four people and they were snowbirds, living onthe island from November to April. The next winter we hosted a neighbourhoodparty, inviting everyone in our area who had just built, or who were currentlybuilding a house. Within a year our Bachilleres neighbourhood had become known for itsroving house parties, group gatherings, and tight-knit friendships.

Trish, Tina, and me, wine-touringHere in Penticton, I have made a point of befriending manyof the residents in our condo complex, and their pets. We are each other’ssafety net. If one of us is not feeling well, the others volunteer to walkpets, fetch groceries, or just check on the person. Some of us socializeregularly. Some meet up for food and drinks occasionally. And others just chatin the hallways.

Many people live on their own in thiscomplex, people of a variety of ages, and a variety of backgrounds. It’s niceto know that some of those folks are watching out for me, and I am alsowatching out for them.

Wherever you live, you should get to knowthe other folks living near you. You could make a lasting friendship.

Merry Christmas! Seasons Greeting! Happy New Year to all!

Lynda

Sparky sends his woofs!

Sparky, one of the main characters in my novels

Day 41 of being a flea on the butt of Amazon. Success!

 

Day 38 of being a flea on the butt of Amazon and BNI Postmedia - success, I think

A refund? You're joking!Late yesterday afternoon I received an email from Grace, with the Amazon Executive Relations team. 

According to her, my refund is in the works! 

And it should show as a credit to my Visa in 5 to 7 days.

So, fingers crossed this will be the end of 38 days of stress and worry.

But until I see the refund, I will remain skeptical.

Cheers Lynda

Sparky sends his woofs!

Day 37 of being a flea on the butt of Amazon and their delivery contractors BNI Postmedia. SIGH!

This morning I emailed three of the four top executives at Amazon asking for an update on my refund. 

Andy Jassy. 

Chief Executive
410 Terry Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109
ajassy@amazon.com

Doug Herrington.

Chief Executive Officer, Worldwide Amazon Stores
410 Terry Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109

herringtond@amazon.com  

Candi Castleberry-Singleton

Vice President of Inclusive eXperiences Technology (IXT)
410 Terry Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109
candigbl@amazon.com

And I received yet another form letter from another customer service representative as a reply.

I'm stressed, cranky, and not going to give up!

Cheers Lynda

Nov 2nd 3:30 p.m.

Hello Lynda,

This is xxxxx,an Amazon Delivery and Returns Specialist. I hope this email finds you well.

I received amessage from my colleague regarding your recent email about your concern.Unfortunately, we need some more information about your situation before we areable to assist you.

When you havea free moment, please respond to this email with the following information:

Order ID

Name of theitem:

Date theorder was placed:

Issue withthe order:

I’m sorry forthis inconvenience. We look forward to resolving this situation as soon as wehear back from you.

We’d appreciateyour feedback. Please use the buttons below to vote about your experiencetoday.

Día de los Muertos and Day 36 of being a flea on the butt of Amazon, BNI Postmedia, and Intelcom courier

Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries are celebrating la Día de los Muertos honoring their departed family members. It's a lovely tradition full of color, light, food, music, and family gatherings.

For me, November 1st is my 36th day of pounding my computer keyboard, trying to obtain a refund of $613.47 from the multinational megacorp, worth 1.9 trillion dollars. Amazon.  

Amazon contracts out deliveries to businesses like BNI PostMedia and IntelCom. Those companies are supposed to deliver all parcels safely to the designated addresses. 

September 12th: I ordered 655 copies of my 10 murder mystery novels in preparation for several upcoming Christmas markets.

September 25th: the boxes started to arrive.

September 26th: a box of 39 copies of CORKED was posted on my account as‘Undeliverable.’  Then a box of 43 copies of SMASHED met the same fate, ‘Undeliverable.’ 

I have phoned the Amazon Customer Service Representatives 10 times.

I have emailed the Amason Customer Service Representatives, dozens of times. Each time being asked for the same information over and over again.

I have emailed, three top executives several times; Mr. Andy Jassy, Mr. Doug Herrington, and Ms. Candi Castleberry-Singleton. They have forwarded my pesky emails to their Amazon Executive Relations Team.

39 copies missing

I recently posted this notice on many Okanagan FaceBook groups asking if anyone in the South Okanagan had received my two parcels by mistake.

HELLO OKANAGAN FOLKS!Just on the off chance .... BNI (Postmedia couriers) claims that they delivered my missing package to my address in Penticton on September 24th. I did not receive it. Has anyone, anywhere in the Okanagan Valley seen a heavy Amazon box, containing 43 copies of my mystery novel SMASHED? And there is another box that's missing, 39 copies of CORKED? I am desperate to resolve this problem, which has been occupying too much of my time for over a month. Please message me if you know anything! It will be a huge financial hit for me if Amazon or BNI won't refund my money. Cheers Lynda Lock, Penticton.

43 copies missing 

Yesterday I emailed the City of Penticton asking if by chance any of their employees at the Campbell Mountain Landfill (city dump) had noticed one or two large Amazon boxes of books. They are in the process of checking with their staff. 

I seriously doubt that I will ever find the boxes but I am trying to prove what happened to the two missing deliveries.

36 days later and I am still being stonewalled with vague responses such as these:

"Firstly, I apologies for all theinconvenience caused in regards to your shopping experience with us. During your free time please write back via email to us with the followinginformation:" -Order number-Name of the item or ASIN, quantity is applicable-Description of the issue-Assistance you may require Or please contact us via chats or calls for afaster resolution on it."

Email from the top boss! 

Jeff Bezos. Oct 30, 2024, 1:46 PM - Thank you for contacting us.

So, today I started sending out Letters to the Editor, for local newspapers.

My next task will be to send letters to any American newspapers that will post my letters. 

I am stressed. Very stressed. But I am not giving up.

Lynda

PS: there is a lot more information on my previous posts on this blog starting October 24th. 

Day 35 of being a flea on the butt of Amazon, BNI Postmedia, and Intelcom. Still waiting on a refund!

I had hoped that this problem would have been resolved a long, long, long time ago, but here I am still waiting for Amazon and their contract delivery services to do the right thing and refund me the $613.47 for two lost packages.

In the meantime, Happy Halloween everyone. 

Cheers Lynda. Sparky sends his woofs!

Day 34 of being a flea on the butt of Amazon, and their delivery services Postmedia, and Intelcom

 

Another parcel has been incorrectly delivered. It's not my parcel, and it wasn't shipped by Amazon. 

However:

It belongs to a person who lives in Okanagan Falls, 17 kms (about 11 miles) south of where it was delivered. We are going to meet up later this afternoon so that I can give her the parcel.

Why do I mention this? 

Today is the 34th day since I asked Amazon to refund my money for two lost packages, packages that their contractors insist have been safely delivered to my address. 

For the first two weeks, I was stonewalled by an ever-changing line of Customer Service agents until I started emailing the executives directly.

Now I get daily 'love letters' from a variety of agents who are part of the 'Amazon Executive Relations team.' 

Every agent reassures me with similar words. "We are working to resolve this concern as quickly as possible. You don't need to take any further action."

Call me skeptical but I don't see this as progress. 

Cheers, Lynda