Negotiation secrets that work

Negotiation is about knowing what you want, going after it, and respecting the other person in the process. The best negotiation ends in a win-win situation where both parties get value. When you negotiate, it results in the following positives:

•You get a price cut.

•ou get extra gifts or benefits.

•You learn a new way to (and not to) negotiate.

• You build rapport with the other party and possibly even create a friendship.

Concerning your salary, when you negotiate, it may result in the following positives:

•You may get a salary increase or promotion.

•You build rapport with your boss and show capacity.

•You get a confidence boost, and your boss and colleagues will recognize it.

• You get extra compensation (life and health insurance, travel perks, remote work days, new position title, etc.).

•You learn a new way to (and not to) negotiate. So the big question is - How can you negotiate for the best results and end in a win-win situation? I curated these tips based on life experiences, experiments, and testimonials. These are tips I have tried and tested. Observe: This is the first step to a successful negotiation. Observe the environment. Your negotiation strategy in a market will be different from your process in a supermarket.

Observe the person – is the other person currently friendly, irritable, sad, happy, eager, in a mood, etc.? Pay attention to the body language and the people surrounding them. Observe the mood of the environment. If the other people around that person are tense, they might dissuade your seller. Know the other party. Put yourself in their shoes. If you understand where they’re coming from, you can also explain things in terms that are meaningful to them, and you will be better prepared to adapt to the dialogue as terms change.

Be realistic: Price is what you pay; value is what you get. Make a mental estimate – what is the best price to pay for this service or product compared to the value you will get? Be realistic. Put yourself in the other party’s shoes. Don’t be inconsiderate (e.g., Don’t ask them to sell an iphone to you for $100 or ask for a 10x raise when you know the company is tanking. Be realistic). Connect on a personal level: To begin with, ask about their day. If they look sad, ask them to smile, genuinely care.

Once you can connect, they will be more open to listening and negotiating with you. Information creates trust. When you keep your cards too close to your chest, people become wary.

Open up and share as much information as you can with people to give them the full scope of your thinking. Know when to demand, tease and plead: Based on your observation, you will understand what negotiation strategy to apply. Should you demand like it’s your right? Should you playfully ask and throw in a few compliments?

Do you just plead and admit the person is doing you a favour? Would it be better just to add more products and get a mass bargain? Or ask for benefits instead of a cash increase in your salary? You need to know. Know when to push and when to walk away:

Many people can’t deal with initial rejection pain. When they hear their first no, they give up. Others just keep pressing without threshold. In general, be sensitive to the other person and the overall situation. Remember that in life, you don’t always get what you deserve. You get what you negotiate. If you lose a negotiation, it’s okay; you will learn ways not to do it in the future and find a better way to do it next time. Most importantly, be daring. Dare to ask for what you want, dare to negotiate.

On a job-related note - be visible, do things beyond your job description, understand that any activity you do within your role is signed off with your name, so sign it off with excellence as it will come in handy when applying for a promotion or a new job. Be confident.

Dare to ask for more but always be willing to give equal value in return. Finally, if you do not intend to compromise, you should not even bother negotiating (Negotiation is a back and forth, not an express decision between two parties).

Ensure it ends up on a win-win note. Follow me on twitter (@ blessingabeng_), let’s rub minds. Have any questions or challenges you are facing?

Please write me an email telling me your story, stating your challenges and asking me your question - question@blessingabeng.com I’ll answer the top 3 every last Monday of the month.