Top 5 Negotiation Tips
Negotiation is an integral part of our lives. From the workplace to the market, in each and every place, you have to face a situation where you can’t allow the other person to force his/her decision upon you, but you also don’t want to spoil your relationship with that person. It is during these times that your negotiation skills come to your rescue. Negotiation skills have nothing to do with arguing or winning over a situation. In fact, it is a process whereby two parties that have different interests come down to an optimal solution. Here, the solution has to satiate the needs of both parties. Hence, the thumb rule to negotiation is that you are not only supposed to look forward to fulfilling your requisites but also have to come up with a solution that would benefit the person at the other end. Here are a few negotiation tips which, if followed, would bring the ball to your court.
1. Tell what you want
The first and foremost step towards beginning a negotiation is by telling what you want. If you act timid or show that you are unsure about your own demand, the person at the end of the table might take this as an opportunity to fulfill his/her demands, without sounding aggressive. To avoid this, all you need to do is voice your demand in an assertive way. Don’t act aggressive. This will reduce your chances to come to a mutually acceptable decision.
2. Listen
When it comes to negotiating, you can’t afford to argue. You must listen to the other person. Allow them to talk. When they put forth their ideas, you get to know their side of the story. This way, you can easily assert your say later and get your work done. A negotiating session must include listening for almost 70% of the time and talking for the rest 30%. The catch is, you have to ask the other person open-ended questions which will compel him/her to give detailed answers. This way, you will know everything about the deal and you will be able to negotiate well.
3. Prepare yourself
Whenever you have to negotiate with someone, it’s important that you do your homework well. Here, preparing yourself means you ready yourself for the questions that might come up during the conversation and formulate answers that would bring the cake towards you, without having to snatch it. Secondly, you must also be ready with a back up plan. Just in case, your expectations do not fall in place, you must be ready with an alternative plan. If that is not done, you will have to accept what the other party says, even if it means signing an agreement that puts you on the losing end.
