Negotiating for pussy’s

Who has felt the butterflies in their stomach in the lead up to a salary negotiation or call to your mobile service provider requesting they waive a large data usage bill.  Yet, everyone is an expert negotiator and has been since the day they first negotiated with their parents for money in exchange for taking the washing off the line.  You negotiate hundreds of times a year whether it be with yourself, friends or family but you don’t realise it because its usually in a comfortable situation.

So why are most people pussy’s when it comes to organised negotiations?

Well, it’s because most people feel negotiation is a form of conflict or an altercation that is going to end in irreversible dispute or rejection.  We all know someone whether it be a friend or colleague who handles negotiation how we wish we could handle it, so what are the steps those people take that appears to work so well;

Change you mindset going into the negotiation

It is not an argument or disagreement first and foremost.  It is an opportunity for both parties to gain something and walk away in a better position than they were prior.

Prepare your alternatives and predict your opponents

Know your subject matter inside out and plan the other party’s position to understand what it is they are trying to achieve, just like seeing your opponents hand in poker.

Be patient

Not all negotiations need to be finalised in one conversation. Often there a times when offers need to considered after some sleep.

Embrace the silence

Don’t feel like you have to fill all the pauses and breaks in conversation with meaningless chatter.  Making a strong statement and leaving an empty pause after it for your opponent to comment creates a powerful dynamic to the negotiatio

n in your favor.

Be confident

Don’t pussy out when it comes to the crunch.  Convey your position with respect and integrity but maintain your position with confidence.

Know when to walk away

Sometimes it is better to walk away than to concede to a poor offer.  Our friends and colleagues who appear to negotiate well, are the best when it comes to this step.  Don’t be a schmuck if the offer sucks.