Everything is Negotiable
How to Improve Your Negotiation Skills
The ability of negotiate is a useful skill that most people in business will need at some stage.
Here are the most important negotiation skills:
- Find the middle ground solution that links what you want, with what they want.
- Don't agree to their first proposal.
- Prepare a list of negotiable variables.
- Never give-away concessions for free.
- Prepare your entry and exit points in advance.
- Always have a practical alternative to an unacceptable final offer.
- Be prepared to walk away.
- Never act on emotion, always act on logic.
- Maintain a polite and professional manner.
- Keep accurate written records of the negotiations.
1. Find the common ground that links what you want, with what they want.
In order to prepare your negotiation, you need to recognise that the goal is to find the connection between three fields.
- What you want.
- What they want.
- What is logically possible.
The intersection is where you will find the middle-ground solution.
Notice how small the middle ground solution is, when compared to the whole shape. This explains why a negotiated solution is sometimes difficult to find.
2. Don't agree to their first proposal.
From the above, it seems obvious that you should say "No" to their first proposal. Why? Because no-one offers their best offer first. Even if they claim that their first offer is their best offer, you can rest assured, it isn't.
Behind their first offer is their second, third and even fourth offers.
You need to explore that territory. And you won't do that if you say "Yes", too soon.
Say "No" to their first offer and discover what are their better offers.
3. Prepare a list of negotiable variables.
A negotiable variable is something that you can add into your proposal (or even subtract) that will make your offer more attractive to the other party, but will also protect your best interests. The idea is to have negotiable variables that are perceived as high value to the other person, but they are of low cost for you to provide.
To negotiate effectively, prepare a list of these "negotiable variables" and use them as bargaining chips. Prepare these in advance of the negotiation.
You need to decide what negotiable variables you can put into each step, that lies between the top and the bottom of the negotiation staircase.
You should try to estimate what they might be prepared to offer you in the form of concessions or negotiable variables. Again, doing this mental preparation will give you an advantage since you will be more likely to predict the actions of the other party.
4. Never give concessions for free.
When negotiating, never give away your bargaining chips for free. Never GIVE concessions; instead, TRADE them.
The rule is: I will give something to you, ONLY IF you will give me something in return.
This is the cardinal rule of all negotiations.
Never give concessions for free.
Negotiation means "give and take".
5. Prepare your negotiation "entry" and "exit" points in advance.
In all negotiations you will need to decide:
- Your first offer. Your opening gambit. Your most optimistic request.
- Your final offer. Your last bid. Your most pessimistic request, before you walk away.
- The middle-ground solution.
- When to stop negotiating. Either when you find a solution; or you fail to find a solution and you must walk away with a NO DEAL outcome.
6. Always have a practical alternative to an unacceptable final offer.
Always have a Plan B. That is what you will do if your negotiations fail to find a middle ground solution.
Having a practical alternative to an unacceptable final offer empowers you to walk away from a bad solution.
7. Be Prepared to Walk Away
A No Deal is a perfectly acceptable solution to a negation and is better than one in which you accept what THEY want, but at your expense.
You MUST be prepared to walk away from the negotiation. Therefore, you must have somewhere to walk to.
This is called a BATNA - a Best Alternative To a Negotiated Answer.
If the other party thinks you cannot, or will not, walk away, then they have the competitive advantage and they will drive you into the ground.
You must at least appear to have practical alternatives and be prepared to walk away from the negotiation, without a deal.
8. Never act on emotion, always act on logic.
Negotiations are often emotional affairs. But it is important to NOT be driven by emotions of greed, anger, upset, pride or fear.
Instead, you should order your affairs according to a logical evaluation of all the available evidence.
When you are negotiating, please ensure you are running on reason. DO NOT let your emotions gain control over you and cause you to act irrationally.
Remember that the other person may act in ways designed to upset your emotional stability.
You must keep control over your emotions and play it with cool logic.
9. Maintain a polite and professional manner.
Always maintain a professional and polite negotiating style.
This logical approach will enable you to maintain a cordial, professional manner, during your negotiations. Don't be overtly friendly and congenial, and don't allow any negative emotions to express themselves.
Instead, always be clear, rational, friendly and professional.
Your aim is not to be their best friend, but rather; to find a written agreement that will satisfy the needs of both parties.
Then you will get the best results possible from every negotiation.
10. Keep accurate written records of the events.
Learn the art of listening, speaking and writing at the same time. Police detectives quickly find out that they must keep accurate written notes of what is said during a meeting. By doing this you will have a massive advantage over those people who are not taking notes of proceedings, and you will be a better negotiator.
Negotiation Skills Training Course
If you would like to know more about negotiation skills, please take a look at our one-day in-house Negotiation Skills Training Course.
Definition: BATNA (Best Alternative To a Negotiated Answer)
BATNA is a planned backup in business talks. It is the best deal you can gain without the other side. You weigh every offer against it, use it to decide when to agree or walk away, and you must ensure it is real and workable.
Show CG4D Definition
- Stand-alone option you can take without the other side.
- Gives better results than any other outside option you have.
- Serves as the measure for taking or leaving each offer.
- Is real, ready and workable today.
Article Summary
Every business deal improves when you plan first and final offers, list items you can trade, never give away a concession, hold a clear BATNA, and stay calm, logical and polite; follow these steps and you will lift profit, keep good ties and leave the room with a fair win-win outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
What is the middle ground solution in a negotiation?
Why should I reject the first offer in business talks?
How do negotiable variables improve a deal?
What does BATNA mean and why is it vital?
How can I stay calm and logical while I negotiate?
When is it wise to walk away from the table?
Why keep written notes during negotiations?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
Did You Know: Key Statistics
LinkedIn's 2024 Workplace Learning Report ranks negotiation as the UK's second-most in-demand soft skill, up from fourth place in 2022. McKinsey & Company research in 2023 found that firms with structured negotiation training raised average profit margins by 7% within 12 months.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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