The Art of Negotiation
January 13th, 2009 Filed under: Uncategorized — Negotiation AuthorBeing unskilled in negotiations can cost you in many ways. The natural inclination to compromise may not always be the best tactic in negotiations. Whether you’re negotiating a big sale or trying to get a repairman to your office more quickly, good negotiating skills will serve your business well.
Experts suggest the following:
Practice negotiating in all types of interactions. Test different techniques and see how your results differ.
Know your own negotiating style and try to learn skills that will compensate for current weaknesses.
Even when you’re negotiating with a large organization, take the time to learn the name of the person you’re dealing with and enlist that person as an ally to help you get what you want.
Take the time to find out the needs of the other party, and work to negotiate a settlement that helps both parties fulfill their needs.
When making concessions during a negotiation, be sure that you are conceding in increments similar to the other party.
Be sure you are negotiating with the right person. You are just wasting time trying to negotiate with someone who does not have the authority to give you what you want.
There are a number of negotiating tactics and counter-tactics. These are quite fascinating in themselves and may form the basis for another article. Meanwhile let’s conclude with a few key tips.
- Prepare, prepare, prepare!
- Never let your ego negotiate.
- Always let the other person save face.
- Don’t name a price first.
- Never accept the first offer.
One Response to “The Art of Negotiation”
By Dave Hume on Jan 15, 2009 | Reply
Never Accept the First offer.
I got pressurised into doing just that , when selling a old motor car. I was preparing for a trip at the time, and because I was hurried into the deal, I suffered the consequence. Some months later I received the fines for the car and could not trace the buyer from the scant information he provided.
Meanwhile the telephone kept ringing , and I could have got a better deal.