Founder-led negotiation support for deals that matter
Protect £50k+ of value before the deal is signed
Most value is lost before anyone reaches the table. Weak preparation, unclear tradeables, internal misalignment and early discounting quietly shape the outcome. Chameleon works with you before and during the negotiation so your team knows what to protect, what to trade and where to hold the line.
Commercial negotiation experience since 2007
Chameleon is led by Paul O'Donnell, a senior negotiation practitioner who has supported commercial teams across sales, procurement, professional services, consumer goods and deal environments. Client work is shown as organisations Paul has supported or worked with during his career.
Deal Leakage Diagnostic, £1,250-£2,500 after the free consultation.
value opportunity per important deal
practitioner experience
delegates in core workshops
case outcomes include £20m recovered revenue and 9x ROI
Built for teams with value at stake
The work is practical, commercial and specific to the negotiation in front of you. Chameleon is best suited to teams who already know the outcome matters, but need a sharper plan before the next conversation.
Sales leaders
Protect margin, reduce early discounting and improve control of complex customer negotiations.
Procurement teams
Prepare supplier strategies, map leverage and trade concessions with discipline.
Leadership teams
Align internal stakeholders before the external negotiation starts.
M&A deal teams
Challenge assumptions, prepare negotiation moves and protect value during sensitive deal conversations.
Four ways to protect value
Negotiation Training
Two-day workshops for sales, procurement and leadership teams, built around your live commercial reality. £6,150 for 8-12 delegates. VILT pricing available on request.
M&A Negotiation Advisory
Confidential challenge sessions and live negotiation preparation for founders, investors and deal teams. M&A Negotiation Challenge Session, £2,500-£5,000.
Investment Thesis Validation
A structured review of the market, risks and assumptions behind an acquisition, investment or exit decision. £950-£1,500.
Individual Coaching
One-to-one negotiation coaching for salary, promotion, client fee and commercial conversations. from £300 per session.
Prepare | Adapt | Negotiate | Review
Chameleon uses a practical negotiation rhythm. Prepare the commercial position, adapt to the people and power in the room, negotiate with discipline, then review what happened so the learning sticks.
People
Identify motivations, pressure points, decision-makers and internal dynamics.
Power
Clarify leverage, alternatives, dependencies and credible walk-away positions.
Process
Shape the route through the negotiation rather than reacting meeting by meeting.
Strategy
Decide what to protect, what to trade and what outcome is worth pursuing.
Tactics
Prepare the language, conditions, questions and concession moves needed in the room.
Proof from commercial work
The following case studies are anonymised to protect client confidentiality, but they show the kind of negotiation problems Chameleon is built to solve.
Global law firm
Eight two-day workshops for partners, focused on pricing confidence, client conversations and margin protection. Reported outcome: 22 percent margin improvement and 9x ROI over 12 months.
FMCG supply chain
Commercial negotiation support during supplier rationalisation. Reported outcome: £20m recovered revenue and 23 percent supplier base reduction over six months.
Consumer goods, Eastern Europe
Trade terms reset with key accounts. Reported outcome: trade investment reduced by up to 35 percent year on year.
The Barefoot Negotiator newsletter
Regular negotiation thinking for commercial leaders, founders and deal teams who want sharper preparation before important conversations.
Senior practitioner-led, not a bloated consultancy model
Chameleon is intentionally founder-led. You work with Paul O'Donnell, whose negotiation practice dates back to 2007. Research, preparation and scenario planning are supported by AI-enabled tools, but the judgement, facilitation and advisory work are led by a senior practitioner.
That means a tighter model. Fewer layers, more direct access and clearer accountability for the work.
Clear entry points
Start with the offer that matches the negotiation pressure you are facing now.
Deal Leakage Diagnostic
A focused review of one live deal, renewal or supplier negotiation. £1,250-£2,500.
Two-day Negotiation Workshop
Bespoke team training for 8-12 delegates. £6,150 for 8-12 delegates. VILT pricing available on request.
M&A Negotiation Challenge Session
A confidential preparation sprint before heads of terms, diligence response, earn-out discussion or price renegotiation. £2,500-£5,000.
Individual Negotiation Coaching
One-to-one preparation for salary, promotion and client fee conversations. from £300 per session.
Thesis Validation Report
AI-enabled desk research and practitioner review for an investment or acquisition thesis. £950-£1,500.
Chameleon Partnership
Founder-led negotiation training, deal preparation and advisory support for sales, procurement, leadership and M&A teams.
Book a free 30-minute Deal Leakage Diagnostic consultation