Day: March 25, 2007

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CSU’s “SOVIET-style” Negotiation Style

Cal State University Systems Grand Mullah Charles B. ReedIf you have ever studied the art of negotiation or have read Herb Cohen, you’ll know exactly what it means to be ‘sovieted.’

However, allow me to fill you in, should this cold war term leave you wondering.

The Soviets employed a tactic in their negotiations that I’ll simplify by stating some of the more memorable strategies: 1) the object is to make the other guy move no matter how long it takes… and never move even after he ‘gives a little’, 2) Introduce competition into the negotiation ( increase the number of part-time employees not covered by the existing agreement) ,3) stall… then stall some more… he has a ‘deadline’ but you never do, 4) make an agreement that looks good on the surface , announce to the world how wonderful it is with terms like ‘merit pay’… but in reality it is nothing of the sort, 5) ignore outside recommendations unless they agree with you ( as they probably will with the latest impartial analysis).

Well, an impartial analysis has been undertaken and it seems to agree with the faculty’s position… let’s see what happens.

Roger Freberg
Ps. By the way, this is no way like negotiations in the private sector… where the market place has a profound influence on salaries and performance… this is the public sector arena and a battle between bureaucrats and faculty.

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The Scent you will love…. from ‘which flowers?’

some things from the past... need to be recreated I found a scent that, frankly, that was as unmistakable as it was irresistible… so I bought it for Laura…. But first, here is some background:   I could try to describe a great perfume or a great house, but I would not do it justice… so I will let others:   How the House of Houbigant is described:   “In the days of Marie Antoinette, women of the European noblesse prefered the perfumes of Houbigant to any other kind. To their cultivated taste, the inimitable charm of Houbigant scents made unfailing appeal. It is not strange, then, that when Houbigant perfumes were first imported a half-century ago they should have found instant favor with those discriminating and exacting American women to whom the whole world sends the finest of its luxuries. New Houbigant perfumes and toiletries have been sent from France from time to time and all have the same distinct style of prestige.”    Which Flowers?   One of the most renowned and admired fragrances of all time, Quelques Fleurs L’Original forever changed floral fragrances when it became the first true multi-floral bouquet 90 years ago. A classic that has endured the test of time, the fragrance is wrapped in a theme of sculptured petals in a frosted and clear French glass. In a 3.3 oz., 1.6 oz., or 1 oz. eau de parfum spray.The true Quelques Fleurs formula has never been published. An ancient formula still kept in the family archives, this fragrance will never be duplicated. The blend of soft, sensual florals uses over 250 different raw materials and more than 15,000 flowers to create just one ounce of Quelques Fleurs eau de parfum. To this day it is still produced in Grasse, France, where Jean Francois Houbigant first created his perfumes in 1775.   “Royal Perfume”   In celebration of the essence produced for Princess Adelaide d’Orleans 175 years ago—Royale Eau de Parfum. This latest scent blends key notes from the legendary Quelques Fleurs bouquet, and takes its name from its aristocratic history.• Fresh, sparkling top notes of Sicilian bergamot and grapefruit.
• Heart notes of Egyptian jasmine, Moroccan rose, and Indian tuberose warmed by hints of white acacia honey.
• Intense base notes of precious amber, sandalwood, orris, and white musks.
• 3.3 fluid ounces in a pink classic bottle of sculptured petals in a frosted and clearFrench glass.    


Roger Freberg