Business negotiations are happening around us all the time, often when we're least aware of them.
A naive entrepreneur or wet-behind-the-ears business person might expect Big Deals to happen in elegant board rooms over glossy conference tables or over five-star dinners in exclusive restaurants. They might wrap up there, they may be feted there, but Big Deals begin in discreet places -- on the patio of the local coffee house or during happy hour at the inauspicious hotel around the corner, over a greasy breakfast at the truckstop diner or while leaning against the car boot, at the ninth tee or between rounds at the dart tournament.
Depending on the deal and the deal-makers, the more's at stake, the lower a profile is wanted for those "agreements in principle". Many the bargain has been struck during a smoke break in the parking garage.
