Resource firm validates negotiating strategy and uncovers new risks

The Problem

A resource company required a negotiating strategy to deal with upcoming resource rights negotiations between the company, various levels of governments and numerous citizens groups.

The Process

Open Options worked with the senior management to model key players. After focused discussion and the sharing of disparate assumptions by individuals, the decision team felt that they had gained significant insight into the interests and behavior of the various stakeholder groups.

The Solution

Prior to the Open Options Process, management felt that the only way to obtain rights in a timely manner was to offer a package of benefits to certain players. The modeling session validated this core strategy but also identified a significant 'creeping commitment' risk involving the transference of leverage against the company. The company is currently seeking strategies to reduce the impact of the identified risks.

Crisis Management 2

Large chemical company applies negotiation strategy to resolve environmental issue

The Problem

Under intense external and internal pressure, a large chemical company had to develop a strategic plan for environmental site clean up negotiations. Across the negotiating table were several insurance companies who faced liability for pollution that had occurred over a 30-year period.

The Process

Open Options worked with operational level management to model key stakeholders, their perspectives and their respective hard-line or compromising actions.

The Solution

The Open Options Process identified a sequence of bi-lateral agreements that led to a very positive overall resolution. The process also revealed the potentially significant (both negative and positive) role that a perceived ally played in the negotiation process. The client was also extremely pleased with the way in which the process effectively guided their relationship with outside legal counsel.

Crisis Management 3

Manufacturing company garners corporate and community support through philanthropy strategy

The Problem

An unavoidable, yet toxic, byproduct of the manufacturing process in a 50 year old manufacturing facility had been passing directly into the environment for most of the plant's history.

The Process

Open Options worked with the plant manager and his decision team to model different internal players, government agencies and the community.

The Solution

At the time of Open Options' first involvement, the plant was receiving punishing daily fines for exceeding acceptable discharges. Open Options not only showed the client that funding a new municipal water treatment plant would create local support, but also showed that the main danger was not from the community or state Environmental Protection Agency, but from its own corporate parent. Although conflict persisted between the plant and government agencies, having both community and corporate support allowed the company to continue to prosper.