Basic Negotiation Tips

The negotiation environment is very complex &, for many people, a daunting one! However, it need not be as intimidating as it might first seem.

Here’s a few basic negotiation tips that you can easily apply to your own situations which should help you navigate your next negotiation a little more easily…..

1. Look for some type of common ground when you first begin your negotiation. It’s important that you spend some time just getting to know the other person or party involved & is a good way to establish & build up rapport.
2. Look and identify who the main players are – always watch to see who is in charge. This will be the person that others will look to when it comes to making a final decision. This might be a manager or CEO or it could be someone who is acknowledged as an “Expert” in the area you are are negotiating over.
3. Don’t immediately accept an offer when it is made – this may take a little practise to achieve. In doing this you can make the other party feel that their offer might not be what you are looking for. Your goal here is to indicate that their offer is not as good as they thought it was.
4. If you can’t bring yourself to ask outright for a discount, use the phrase ‘More affordable option’ instead. This can be applied to products or when hiring some type of service provider. Just by asking what other options are available can easily get you a better deal or better value for your money.
5. When you feel as though your negotiations aren’t going anywhere or are taking too long, it is time to make some sort of offer or proposal Many times this will get things resolved quickly and to everyone’s satisfaction.
6. Instead of asking for a discount try to use different wording. Many places today offer discounts for clubs & special interest groups. So instead of asking do you etc, you ask, “What is your discount for (club or special interest group members)?”
7. Always get quotes and offers in writing. Just because your dentist offers to give you a discount on your next visit, ask them to give you a note that says this. They are extremely busy and it is easy for them to forget what they have said and to whom. Alternately, send them an email within 24 hours of the offer being made, thanking them for the offer which you are pleased to accept.
8. Don’t immediately show interest in what you are looking for. The minute you show someone that you are interested in this or that, you have shown them what you’re keen on. This may give them leverage as they then focus on your interest. Instead have a number of areas of interest (one or two of which are your real interests) so that they aren’t too sure as to what is most important to you.
9. Find out what their area(s) of interest are through leading a conversation with them. Then, trade their interests with yours. This way you are trading what’s important for them with what’s important for you.