It was seven hours into a heated mediation between two businessmen, each of whom were prepared to engage in a self-destructive dissolution of their construction company. "I just don't get it!" the majority partner said. "The federal tax returns and audited financials clearly show the proposed buyout of your 35 percent share is more than equitable. And, after seven hours of negotiation, we are willing to pay a premium for your minority interest."
"What will make this deal work?" I asked.
The minority partner responded, "I will accept a cash settlement, but it must be based on the set of books he uses for himself and kept in his private safe, and not the set of books he uses to show his wife or his accountant."
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