Negotiation skills are becoming central to succeeding in the workplace in almost any business. If you are an effective negotiator, you are significantly more valuable to a company. At Shapiro Negotiations, we understand the importance of negotiations and have experts who can teach you negotiation tactics and strategies that will increase your success. Try these three quick tips for improved results in your next negotiation.
1. Listen
Many people make the mistake of heading into a negotiation believing that persuasively explaining their side is the main thing on which they need to focus. This could not be more incorrect. While effectively communicating is an important part of bargaining, you also need to be an attentive listener.
To successfully negotiate a business deal, you need to understand what the other person wants in as much detail as possible. If you are thinking about your own argument while they are talking, you will miss important information about what they are looking for from the exchange. Listening closely will also make the other person feel respected and lead them to trust you more. If they feel a mutual respect, they will be more likely to make sacrifices to meet your requests, wanting you to benefit from the negotiation as much as they do.
2.Try to Find a Win-Win Outcome
After listening and taking in the other person’s side, try to find an outcome that leaves you both satisfied. Many business people go into negotiations believing they should accept nothing less than the ideal, but negotiations usually involve extensive bargaining. It is unlikely you will leave the exchange with everything you asked wanted. If you refuse to accept a situation in which you do not get everything you want, you may be stuck in a stalemate where neither side wants to give in. Reaching a deal will be significantly more difficult. Negotiators who seek win-win outcomes are more successful than those who only focus on what they want.
3. Look for Things You Have in Common With the Other Negotiator
Another way to be a better negotiator is to focus on building a positive relationship with the person with whom you are negotiating. It is much harder to stand firm and argue with someone you like and appreciate. During the negotiations, listen for something you have in common with the other person.
For example, if a person mentions enjoying golfing on the weekends and you enjoy golfing, you could bring up your shared appreciation for the activity and talk briefly about your favorite golf courses or why you enjoy the sport. It will make the exchange more genial, potentially turning the negotiation into a conversation instead of an argument. The other person will be more hesitant to aggressively confront you if they like you as a person.
At Shapiro Negotiations, we specialize in teaching people top-notch negotiation tactics. Our experts are not only skilled negotiators themselves, but also talented teachers and coaches for others who want to learn how to negotiate a deal. We have developed a structure for teaching the rules of negotiation that has helped us sculpt countless businesspeople into great negotiators.
