Multiple Equivalent Simultaneous Offers

Multiple Equivalent Simultaneous Offers (MESO) is a technique used in negotiations. The principle behind MESO is to make multiple offers that are mutually equal in one's mind. By doing this, one can better understand one's partner in a negotiation—his or her interests, expectations, etc.

The acronym MESO is used because "of its etymological origins in Greek to mean both 'combining form' and 'middle', suggesting a balance between states. MESOs allow negotiators to collect and integrate complex information, to successfully combine aggressiveness with cooperation, persistence with flexibility. This technique allows negotiators to set the state for the negotiations, to play detective, and to achieve outcomes that would otherwise be difficult to capture."^[1]