Win Every Negotiation
Even that title “. . . Win A Negotiation” is a bit at odds, since negotiation is about comprise. Negotiation is about both sides winning. And ultimately the most effective way to win a negotiation is for your both to win. Since, if you are the only winner, they loser in the negotiation will not be pleased. They may exact revenge by never working with you again or posting a nasty blog about you.
If you want to win a negotiation, your key chore is to make sure both sides are winning.
Effective Negotiation Strategies
The lay-negotiator will go in saying exactly what they want and then get blindsided with the other sides proposed alternatives. The more sophisticated negotiator will start with the “best case scenario” and be willing to compromise to a less then perfect, but still good position. The master negotiator will start with the best case scenario and then negotiate a solution that is both better for them and the other side.
More Than Just My Opinion
I reached out to my community of experts (thank you MediaRoomVIP) and got their best tips. Here are many more strategies for negotiating big wins for everyone.
1. Quick Negotiation Tip
Negotiate like a rubber band: Be willing to stretch, but also be financially and mentally prepared to “snap” the offer, if you have to bend too far.
Thanks to Charles Franklin
2. Repeat!
Want them to lower the price? Just repeat it back to them.”…and the price for that is $2,997.”Pause like you are thinking. Then repeat the price and wait. “$2,997?” Do not talk; just wait. Many times, they will lower the price right there.
Thanks to Bryan Toder of www.HypnosisCenterUSA.com
3. Negotiate Value, Not Price
I find it’s best to start negotiations at the exact price you want. Be firm, and negotiate added value instead. Can you include a free e-book? A gift bag? Delivery service? Negotiate little things that cost little or nothing to provide, but add a whole lot of value for the other person.
Thanks to Jessica Oman of Write Ahead
4. Be Willing To Walk Away From The Deal
If you aren’t willing to walk away from the deal, you lose 50% of your negotiating strength. Don’t fall prey to the myth that something is a “Once in a lifetime” deal because 99% of the time, it’s not. Okay, maybe getting to go on the first jet to the moon is a once-in-a-lifetime deal, but business deals, relationships and all that? They’re like buses and trains. If you miss one, wait around. There will be another one in 15 minutes. Know what what your deal breaker is and be willing to walk.
Thanks to Becky Blanton of BookyBiz
5. The Power Of Asking
First learn about what it is they want to accomplish, then I look at how you can help them, and then ask questionsand do lots of research on the company. This will allow you to put together a strategy that is a win win for both.Remember, today its about integrity and what we can do for them – its not about us.
Thanks to Robbie Motter of Robbie Motter Sba Contacts Unlimited
6. Give Reason
People don’t mind giving a little ground if they know why you are willing to give a certain figure. If they think you are trying to screw them over, they are going to get defensive and be harder to work with. If they know the situation and the reasoning behind your offer, they are more likely to work with you in any way that they can. By helping them understand, you help them talk themselves into helping you.
Thanks to Jeffrey Cumro of Better Life Chiropractic & Wellness, LLC
7. Negotiate To Win
I don’t believe one party should win and the other lose. I think each should have a win-win. If you find out what is most important to the other party and try to get as close to it as possible, it works. Also, if you give in on things not important to you, very often the other party gives in on others. There’s nothing wrong in taking a hard stand on things, but always be reasonable.
Thanks to Gayle Carson of Carson Research Center
8. Negotiating Using A Magicians’ Misdirection
A magician uses misdirection to make you pay attention to wherever his sleight-of-hand is not going on. Negotiators can do the same thing. You can appear to be someone with no backbone. Let the other side run over you — as they see it. Suppose $250K is a great deal for you. So you say: “The CEO really wants $400K for this, but honestly, I don’t even think it’s worth that. Maybe $325K at best.” You then let them “beat you down” to $275K. Use apparent weakness as strength.
Thanks to Steven Mason of The Brand Mason
9. Give In To Win
My best strategy is to give in to what they want so that I can capture what I need. As a husband I want to have peace so I make sure the little things are done like cleaning up and taking out the trash so there won’t be no arguing later on.
Thanks to Derrick Hayes of WOE Enterprises
10. Never Say No
Be open to No and adjust your solution accordingly. Of course, if you had executed your sales process flawlessly and invested the time to ensure no changes had taken place prior to the presentation of your solution (proposal), your negotiation would be around delivery and not price.
Thanks to Leanne Hoagland-Smith of ADVANCED SYSTEMS
11. Honesty With A Capital H
Honesty is my best negotiating tactic. I think it is important to put your cards on the table and appeal to the opposite side with a straightforward and transparent deal. Everyone appreciates honesty-the more you project an honest persona, the more likely your potential customer/buyer will trust you and your business.
Thanks to Christy Cook of Teach My
12. Listen And Do Your Homework
The best negotiating tip is simply listening to the other person to get a feel for what’s possible. Never offer any kind of financial commitment until you have a good sense of where the other person is at. You need to ask questions and listen. Once you have a sense of what they want, it’s often best to let them play their hand first. But sometimes you will actually want to come in with your offer first to set the stage as to what is acceptable. Listen and do your homework ahead of time!
Thanks to Craig Wolfe of CelebriDucks
13. Are You A Winner At Negotiation
To be able to negotiate you must first have something that the company you are working with wants or wants for their customer. If they do not want the item/service negotiation rarely works. If you are trying to negotiate a price, for example, the other side wants the highest dollar amount they can obtain. While you, other the other hand, may want a lower price or lowest price. To come to a settlement, negotiate around value not price.
Thanks to Carol Coots of Practical Cost Reduction
14. Be Willing To Give Something Up
Many times people present a solution or proposal without any wiggle room. So during a negotiation, present the ideal solution or proposal with all the bells and whistles and include features or item that you are willing to give up (like giving a discount) or add to sweeten the pot (provide extra training at no cost). The customer feels like they got something out of the deal and you still end with a great deal because you built in wiggle room.
Thanks to Mary Hladio of Ember Carriers
15. Understand Their Need
If you understand the nature of their need and understand the importance of your participation, you may leverage them to giving you a number first. All other negotiations now are based on that number and gives you room to improve from there.
Thanks to Bill Humbert of RecruiterGuy.com
16. Promise For More
I tackle all my negotiations by promising more business (volume/ quantity or warm referrals) for great performance on good price OR a bulk purchase split-able amongst different buyers/users. For e.g, I recently negotiated super cheap radio ad spots by buying bulk spots for a full year, if radio were flexible that the ads played will be of 4 different companies. Radio agreed & all my clients and I are happy with the price we got because we could have never got that price individually. Win-Win-Win
Thanks to Devesh Dwivedi of BreakingThe9To5Jail
17. Sell Yourself – Cheap
Most negotiations that go in my favor start with research. What is normal? What would I want if I were them? Then I consider, what else can I put in the pot? In negotiating a salary once, I agreed to a lower starting pay with a review one week later. I told her I’d be worth it and I proved it. The excellent working relationship was well worth one week at a lower salary.
Thanks to Monica Tombers of Just So! Jewelry
18. The Willingness To Walk Away
Before negotiating, know your walk away boundaries. What’s the most or least you’ll accept, or you walk. Besides money, what are your boundaries in terms of payments, quantity, quality, color, delivery, storage, insurance, warranty, guarantee, training, referrals, etc.? Consider every possible thing that can be negotiated. Then create a list of things you can offer to the other side that they may not have thought of, things that will make them want to seal the deal, and have a win/win.
Thanks to Ronald Kaufman of Ronald Kaufman Consultancy
19. Play Your Opponent, Not The Cards.
Instead of negotiating your price down, negotiate your value up. Here is how it works. If you pitch a project for 50k, stick to your guns. Instead of taking a cut in your paycheck, add value to the services you offer. In our case, I will add conversion rate optimization, or PPC campaigns to the SEO proposal. That way, people think they are getting a better value for their money, I still walk away with my full 50k.
Thanks to Bryant Jaquez of BrewSEO
20. What Is Your Budget
I try to get as much information in the beginning. One of the first questions I ask is what is your budget? What are you willing to live with and what is your bottom line? Asking those questions can start the negotiations going in your favor, this will help you get a leg up and let you know where you are in the ball park.
Thanks to Eula M. Young of Griot’s Roll Film Production & Services Inc.
21. Look ‘Em In The Eye And Tell ‘Em The Truth!
My best strategy has always been to look the person with whom I’m negotiating straight in the eye and tell the absolute truth.
To begin with, the endeavor must be worthwhile for both parties. When that is the case and I enter into a negotiation, I find abject honesty is the best policy. The end result has not always been exactly what I had in mind, but it has always been a win-win compromise.
Novel idea? NO! Most popular approach? NO! Simplest approach? YES! Best approach? ALWAYS!
To begin with, the endeavor must be worthwhile for both parties. When that is the case and I enter into a negotiation, I find abject honesty is the best policy. The end result has not always been exactly what I had in mind, but it has always been a win-win compromise.
Novel idea? NO! Most popular approach? NO! Simplest approach? YES! Best approach? ALWAYS!
Thanks to Jan Blue of BlueJays Landing, LLC
22. Say What You Want, Then Zip It!
My best tip for winning any negotiation? Figure out what you want before you go to the table (or get on the phone). Then when you get into the negotiation, say what you want and ZIP IT! Shut your mouth and keep it shut! Whoever speaks next loses. If you are on the phone, pop a lollipop in your mouth so you stay quiet. In person, just breathe and count sheep in your head. (Not aloud, please.)
Oh, and NEVER negotiate by email–You need to have a conversation in person or on the phone!
Oh, and NEVER negotiate by email–You need to have a conversation in person or on the phone!
Thanks to Barnsley Brown of Spirited Solutions Speaking & Coaching
23. Ask This Question.
I always ask the other party what they need to make the deal work. Often the answer is not what you might be expecting. Then figure out what you need in order to give them what they asked for. If you ask the right questions and display flexibility and reason its easier than you think to find the middle.
Thanks to Hugh Glazer of WinterView Group
24. Silence Kill Them!
People are extremely uncomfortable with silence. The more of it they get, the more nervous and restless they usually become. This state of mind leads them to make bad decisions; good decisions if you take into account the decision is to my benefit.
Thanks to Randy Morrow of Keller Williams Realty
25. Anchor An Idea
Cognitive Science researchers have shown that people tend to rely too heavily (or “anchor”) a past reference when making decisions. Use your opening in a negotiation to put a very high number or very low number into the mind of your opponent. The power of that suggestion may surprise you.
Thanks to Tadd Rosenfeld of TeamLauncher.com
26. Provide Value Added Benefit
When negotiating, we don’t provide a fluffed quote, we provide the bottom line and utilize our credentials to win our bids as no one else in our geographical area can compete with us. However we know it takes some extras to make things happen, sometimes it’s a limo, sometimes dessert, sometimes more, but we add value to our services to win our bids.
Thanks to Greg Palomino of CRE8AD8 LLC
27. Use Your But
That’s right! I said but as in “but for”. When negotiating, those two words can make a deal come through. You see when you introduce those words you are overcoming some one else’s doubts and fears. So think of your prospects fears, doubts and concerns and turn them around in a positive way by addressing them by starting by saying “but for” and introduce the solution you have to offer right after those two words.
Thanks to Edwin Soler of Libreria Berea
28. Be Honest, Be Prepared
Honesty is in short supply these days. I’m not sure when it became okay to hide what you want when negotiating, but it really upsets me when I think I’m making progress with someone, only to find I’ve essentially spent an hour chasing them around a table because they weren’t open with what they wanted.
Just remember to also be prepared, and know what you’re willing to give up. Otherwise you might sound like a spoiled kid – demanding a new toy and then throwing a tantrum when they don’t get it.
Just remember to also be prepared, and know what you’re willing to give up. Otherwise you might sound like a spoiled kid – demanding a new toy and then throwing a tantrum when they don’t get it.
Thanks to Deborah Sweeney of MyCorporation
29. Always Be Willing To Walk Away – Even When You Can’t
It sounds contradictory, although if the party you are negotiating with knows you can’t walk away you have no negotiating power. Always let the other party believe you can walk away – and do yourself a favor and have yourself convinced of that before you walk into the negotiation.
Thanks to Jonathan Mast of Valorous Circle
30. Set The Bar High
Start negotiating by making the first offer but with your high number and low number in mind. Many think that you shouldn’t make the first offer because the other party may offer a much better deal than what you initially throw out. But, if you gear yourself up by throwing out your best number within reason you would probably get something close to it as an end result. Research shows that the ending price in a negotiation settlement is generally closer to the first offer, largely because it sets expectation.
Thanks to Dahlia Roth of Free Government Auctions At GovernmentBargains.com
31. Perks Are Plus
If the negotiations reach a standstill you can always agree to include other items in order to break the impasse. If you are on the other side of the negotiation then you can offer to buy extras or larger quantities as well in order to keep the process going break the other sides’ resistance. The whole point of negotiating is that you are making a deal for something both parties want. And if you can sweeten the deal by bundling, oftentimes you will achieve a deal on your desired price
Thanks to Eli Israel of ForeclosureMagic.com
32. The Golden Rule
Silence is the golden rule and that can be applied when you are negotiating anything. Silence is a great tactic because it lets you take everything in, work out deals slowly, and it makes the other side squirm because they do not know what you are thinking. Use silence, or even a break in negotiations to convey that you have other options and are not desperate to close the deal.
Thanks to I Aronovich of Awardable.com
Mastering Negotations
If you want to read further about the subject of negotiating, I recommend Getting to Yes by Roger Fisher. The book digs into the psychology of negotiations and influence techniques specifically for negotiations. Enjoy!
Are you actually a negotiator? What do you do for a living? Your comments about negotiating are childish and unrealistic.
Jim Thoimas,
Author, Negotiate to Win
Hi James! Thanks for you feedback to the post. I would suspect everyone negotiates… myself, everyone that shared their ideas here, and yourself. I would love to hear your thoughts on negotiations. Please expand on what you find childish and unrealistic – are you suggesting to be more confrontational to win arguments Do you disagree that winning a negotiation is when all parties win?