By James A. Baker · Founder, Baker Communications
The important thing to remember here is that a) the agenda itself is usually a product of a brief negotiation, and b) the agenda is subject to renegotiation as the process unfolds, as new issues and ideas are put on the table during the flow of the negotiation. Changes in structure or strategy often lead to adding, reprioritizing or eliminating issues as both parties search for the best set of components to define a satisfactory resolution.
One of the most important aspects of preparing the agenda is to be aware of who is preparing it. This person will structure the agenda in a way that makes sense to them, based on the issues that are important to them. However, obviously, this doesn’t mean the agenda will address everything that is important to you. Don’t ever agree to an agenda unless there is a place on it to address your issues, too.
