Prepare beyond positions
Clarify objectives, alternatives, reservation points, priorities, stakeholders and sources of leverage before discussion begins.
International negotiation · Engineering judgement
Clear thinking for complex negotiations.
I advise organisations and decision-makers in international negotiations where technical detail, commercial interests and cultural differences must be brought into careful alignment.
Civil & Technical Engineer
Analytical rigour grounded in practical project realities
Five European Languages
Direct communication across major European markets
International Perspective
Strategy adapted to people, context and culture
Engineering the conversation
Substance, strategy and human judgement.
Successful negotiation requires more than argument. It demands disciplined preparation, an understanding of human behaviour and the ability to discover value that may not be visible at first sight.
As a civil and technical engineer, I am accustomed to analysing systems, dependencies, risks and constraints. I bring that same discipline to the negotiation table—without losing sight of trust, perception, emotion and long-term working relationships.
The result is an approach suited to technically demanding, commercially sensitive and culturally diverse assignments.
The mind and heart of negotiation
A research-informed approach, applied with discretion.
My method reflects established negotiation insights associated with Leigh L. Thompson’s work: prepare thoroughly, test assumptions, understand interests, manage judgement biases, create value and communicate with purpose.
Examine assumptions
Negotiators can misread motives and overestimate conflict. Careful questioning reveals where interests genuinely differ—and where they do not.
Create value intelligently
Differences in timing, risk, priorities and capability can become the building blocks of a stronger agreement.
Protect the relationship
Firm analysis and respectful conduct belong together. A sound agreement should be workable after the meeting—not merely acceptable in the room.
Consulting services
Support before, during and after the negotiation.
Negotiation preparation
Objectives, BATNA analysis, issue mapping, stakeholder assessment, scenario planning and concession strategy.
International negotiation support
Strategic advice for cross-border commercial, technical, engineering and infrastructure discussions.
Cross-cultural communication
Preparation for differences in language, formality, trust-building, decision authority and communication style.
Conflict and contract dialogue
Structured support for project difficulties, changing conditions, contractual tension and renewed alignment.
Language is part of the strategy
Five European languages. Fewer barriers.
International negotiation is shaped by more than vocabulary. Meaning also lies in tone, convention, context and what remains unsaid.
Working across five major European languages enables closer communication, sharper interpretation and greater cultural sensitivity.
Visit the language websiteEnglish
Dutch
German
French
Spanish
Intellectual foundation
Inspired by negotiation research
The consulting philosophy presented here is informed by the research-based themes discussed in Leigh L. Thompson’s The Mind and Heart of the Negotiator, Seventh Global Edition, including preparation, judgement, value creation, interpersonal dynamics and negotiation across differences.
Hans Boeve Consulting is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the author or publisher. No text from the book is reproduced on this website.
Confidential enquiry
Prepare the conversation before it begins.
Describe the situation, the parties involved and the outcome you are seeking.
Initial enquiries are treated with professional discretion. Please do not include legally privileged or highly sensitive documents in this form.