Um, things don't just "make their way" into contracts. Yes, they suddenly appear in drafts, but finals? Sorry, no. Finals require approvals and signatures from

Um, things don't just "make their way" into contracts. Yes, they suddenly appear in drafts, but finals? Sorry, no. Finals require approvals and signatures from the people who are going to be on the hook. (The e-Bay lawyers who approved the Skype purchase may beg to differ, but they're hardly unbiased.) The draft-stage is where you take snorkel's exactly-right advice, and declare that the difference between 99.999% and 100% is about a bajillion dollars, give-or-take. Go a step further, and sell that 0.001% hard by pointing out just how much they're be prepared for ("multiple earthquakes plus a giant robot attack, all at once!"). They'll start rethinking fast - guaranteed. And that's the essence of diplomacy; letting the other guy have it your way. If he thinks it's his idea, even better.