Know the other side’s benchmark It’s also important to consider who or what your negotiating opponent has selected as a yardstick. In all likelihood, she wanted favorable comparisons, which may cause her to be overly optimistic about what she can achieve. If so, try to help her adjust her aspirations and work with her to […]
Internet and its applications continue to commoditize offerings of several service companies. The sales executives of these companies now deal mostly with the procurement departments rather than the senior executives. Under the current market dynamics, an ability to differentiate between selling problem vs. a negotiating problem can mean millions of dollars in an organization’s performance […]
Pay careful attention to your opponent and look for signals. Recognize that not all of her needs may be readily evident. These are usually unstated needs. A homeowner who will not cooperate with a real estate agent to help sell her house may turn out to have deep-seated uncertainty about selling. Realizing that, you might […]
When your boss makes an inconsiderate request, you need to speak up and say no respectfully. You want your client’s procurement head to know that you value his business, also while you ask him to stop demeaning you for the excellent business relationship. How do you let your opponent save face and view the outcome […]
It is late afternoon on Friday before the Labor Day weekend. Stacy is wrapping up at work, getting ready to drive to Hershey, PA, for some family fun. Just as she is about to leave, her supervisor hands her an RFP (request for proposal). “Hey, Stacy, please complete this so that customer can review first […]
What do Tom Brady and Michael Phelps have in common? They know how to respond under pressure. Sports professionals frequently freeze under pressure. However, it is not limited to just sports. It happens in negotiations too. When asked an unwanted question, I have witnessed negotiators freeze like a deer caught in the headlights. This […]
Oh! The winter blues. It is temporary, I promise. While you are waiting for the spring, just shrug off the restlessness and invest in yourself. No, I am not talking about rushing to the gym to develop that chiseled body. I am talking about sharpening your negotiations skills. Do you know that the world’s greatest leaders […]