Ep 66. The secrets to successful negotiation

02/24/25 • 27 min

In today's fast-paced world, the ability to negotiate effectively is more crucial than ever. Whether you're in the public sector, private industry, or simply trying to strike a deal at home, the principles of negotiation remain the same. In our latest podcast episode, we have the privilege of hosting Andy Archibald, a senior consultant at Scotwork, who sheds light on the art and science of negotiation.

Andy brings a wealth of experience, having worked across the energy and utility sectors, as well as at the City of Edinburgh Council. His insights into negotiation are not only practical but also transformative. One of the key highlights of our discussion is Scotwork's eight-step negotiation process, a tried-and-tested framework that can be applied across various negotiation contexts.

Preparation, as Andy points out, is the cornerstone of effective negotiation. Without thorough preparation, negotiators risk entering discussions without a clear strategy, leading to unsatisfactory outcomes. Andy shares a compelling story of a group that focused too heavily on numbers during preparation, neglecting other crucial aspects of negotiation. His advice? Move beyond spreadsheets and consider all elements that could impact the negotiation process.

As we look ahead to the implementation of the Procurement Act 2023, Andy highlights the significant changes it will bring to public sector negotiations. With increased flexibility and freedom, public sector negotiators must be equipped with the right skills and knowledge to maximise value in their deals. Andy's experience in the public sector and with public sector clients underscores the importance of investing in negotiation training to navigate these changes effectively.

Throughout the episode, Andy provides invaluable tips on avoiding common pitfalls in negotiation, such as getting stuck in circular debates or making non-specific proposals. By focusing on constructive dialogue and clear, specific proposals, negotiators can steer discussions towards successful outcomes.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Ep 65. How to be secure in a hostile world

The world is becoming an increasingly hostile place. With foreign nations often entering the headlines as they breach the cyber security of organisations, it is imperative that government continues to develop its cyber security capabilities.

One of the best ways to go about doing this is by ensuring that systems are secure by design, and in order to learn more about this process, host Dan Benn spoke to cyber security expert George Bathurst. Over the course of more than thirty years, George’s career has taken him to some of the world’s biggest and most famous companies, and has recently seen him heading up Ministry of Defence’s transition to secure by design.

George commented on the importance of following the secure by design model, saying:

“For many years, we’ve seen projects that have just been getting started and they’ve already been hacked. The development servers and things like that have been breached and... whereas three months ago you had a month to respond to a new zero day bug being discovered, with AI now you’ve got just a few hours.”

Moving on to what leaders can do to support secure by design development, George explained:

“Everybody is responsible, but there’s a danger of that becoming meaningless because if everybody’s responsible, nobody’s responsible. Therefore, what management can do is identify the right people across the organisation – not just in the IT silo – who are responsible for certain types of security or making sure a project is delivered, and make sure that they understand and have the training to do that.”

To learn more about the importance of secure by design in the modern world, listen to the latest episode of the Public Sector Executive podcast.

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Ep 67. Navigating possession and eviction

In the latest episode of the Public Sector Executive podcast, Nadeem Khan, a team leader at the housing charity Shelter joined host Dan Benn to discuss the critical issue of possession and eviction notices.

With over a decade of experience, Nadeem shed light on the alarming rise in homelessness due to increasing housing costs and a shortage of affordable homes.

Nadeem explained that possession and eviction are often the primary reasons people seek help from Shelter. He emphasised the emotional turmoil that accompanies these situations, with many clients feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and even angry as they face the prospect of losing their homes. Understanding the emotional impact is crucial for housing professionals, as it allows them to provide not just practical advice but also emotional support to clients.

Throughout the discussion, Nadeem explored typical scenarios clients might face, such as receiving a notice from a landlord or dealing with rent arrears. Nadeem highlighted the importance of knowing one's rights and options in these situations. He provided insights into the steps professionals should take when advising clients, including fact-finding to assess the individual's circumstances and rights to emergency housing.

A significant part of the conversation focuses on the distinction between possession and eviction. Nadeem clarified that while possession is a court ruling requiring a tenant to vacate their home, eviction occurs when the tenant does not leave by the specified date. This distinction is crucial, as it opens up avenues for negotiation and potential delays in the eviction process, allowing clients more time to find solutions.

Emergency housing is another key topic discussed. Nadeem explained that local authorities provide emergency accommodation for those who are legally homeless, but the reality of this housing can often be stark. Many clients find themselves in cramped conditions, far from their support networks, which can exacerbate their already difficult situations.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.