Frequently Asked Questions

What is Common Ground International?

Common Ground International is a consortium of highly respected organizations and individuals in the fields of negotiation, conflict resolution, and human resource development. We focus this extraordinary talent on a single goal: giving our clients the skills they need to work out rewarding agreements – with their customers, employees, vendors, partners, unions, regulators, colleagues, and countless others. Our clients count on us for practical, no-nonsense, cost-effective solutions.

Common Ground’s activities include seminars, workshops, speakers, consulting, coaching, negotiation, arbitration and mediation services, training programs, and more. Common Ground is world-wide leader in negotiation training. Each year, we deliver hundreds of programs worldwide. Our Negotiate to Win Workshop is among the foremost negotiation training programs in the world.

Why have Common Ground’s Negotiating Programs been so successful?

In a nutshell, because they work. People who attend our programs negotiate significantly better afterwards. Happily for us, when something works, word gets around. Our clients have become our best promoters. The Negotiate to WIN Workshop’s swift growth is due in great part to the unsolicited, enthusiastic support of a burgeoning fast-growing army of Workshop graduates. Their word-of-mouth promotion has proven far more effective than any advertising campaign we could buy.

How do sessions resonate with different audiences?

Each program is tailored to meet the desired outcome of the meeting planner and the target audience. This is accomplished through a Pre-program Questionnaire that outlines the goals and objectives of the company. In addition, we collaborate with the organizer to speak with a number of audience members and subject-matter experts to provide us with added insight on the group.

What is your goal when presenting a program to a group?

Our goal is to create an unforgettable experience for attendees that gets results. We are always pleased to hear the many negotiation success stores when attendees return for refresher training.

How much do your seminars and keynotes cost?

Each event is priced based on thel client's wants and needs. There are several factors to consider, including the seminar location, length of the program, travel and materials expenses, special needs, etc. Clients can contact us for a written proposal.

How can you effectively address more than 100 different industries, associations and government agencies a year?

It’s true, the groups we’ve spoken to are different; and it’s the very reason we ’ve learned a valuable lesson--they all face similar problems. Many are the same challenges we face in our own business. We all have to adapt to change, to recruit and retain the best people in our respective industries, and to serve our customers better than our competition. We must also learn to develop team spirit and to embrace technology without losing the personal touch.

Because we’ve worked with such diverse groups for over two decades, we ’ve come to know firsthand how they face today’s challenges. We draw from experiences with these varied groups, to bring insights to your group. Our strength lies in our ability to relate substantive information in an easily digestible and immediately useable manner.

Are you always a success?

Yes! As long as the audience is awake, sober and fairly happy to be there. We ’ll work with you to make sure the logistics and the timing of our presentation is the best for the objectives you want to meet.

What do you need from us?

We ask that you help us understand your group so that we can adapt our message to meet your needs. We will become partners in planning your program. The most important question we will ask you is, “If you were giving this talk, what three key points would you stress?”

What size audience are you comfortable with?

Anywhere from 10 - 10,000. We are also experienced with teleconferencing and video conferencing.

Can you present different programs on the same day?

Yes. Frequently at meetings, we ’ll deliver a keynote and then two breakout sessions on totally different subjects. A great meeting investment for you.

Do you have a question for us? Send it to:

info@commongroundseminars.com