World Biz Info
The source of the best business, financial and legal news
web www.worldbizinfo.com
Business Informations

Get What You Want - Negotiating Skills for the Timid!


OK, I know this title sounds self-serving and hard nosed, but the article isn't! Whether it's buying a car, asking for a pay rise, saying 'no' to a friend or renting an apartment - at some stage in our lives we all are going to need to know how to negotiate. Yet, so few of us know the basic skills before embarking on life changing purchases or decisions!

This article is written for those TIMID folk who want to feel more confident in the basic skills of negotiating. These are the skills I have learnt that have made all the difference in the world to my approach to asking for what I want. Being the ultimate 'server' (i.e. always helping others) and 'pacifier' (i.e. always smoothing over conflict) I figure there are plenty of people who would like to know these skills which, believe me, don't come naturally to some folk! Yet, they can make a significant difference to your sense of confidence when you learn them.

Here are 8 keys to learning how to negotiate well (for timid people who hate conflict).

1. Know the outcome you want.

Do you want a win-win outcome where both parties benefit? Or a win-lose outcome where someone (presumably the other party) is not happy with the result?

It is important you know what type of outcome you want because that will affect the long term relationship you have with the other party. Win-win outcomes are beneficial where you have an ongoing relationship. For example, when you negotiate a pay rise, you don't want your boss to feel he/she is the 'loser'. However, if you are buying a car from a car lot, you may not be so concerned about whether the car salesperson feels as though they 'won' in the negotiation!

2. Know your 'position'.

How important is this deal to you? How much do you need it? Could you walk away from the deal? What alternatives do you have? What is your "bottom line" and what (if anything) are you prepared to concede? You should not start negotiating until you have thought through and considered all of the consequences for all of the different outcomes that may eventuate.

3. Know your counterpart's 'position'.

Try to work out what is important to them in the deal. When you know that you have an advantage. Try not to reveal what is important to you! Keep a poker face and play your cards close to your chest.

4. Work out different scenarios ahead of time.

Being caught by surprise will NOT strengthen your position! Think through all the different possibilities which may eventuate and plan for each and every one of them. It is useful to brainstorm and write down on a piece of paper what could possibly happen. For example, if they said, "XYZ" - I would respond with, "ABC". This way you can be prepared for just about anything that may happen.

5. Know yourself.

Know your own weaknesses. If you are a more gentle personality your natural aversion to conflict may toss you into concessions that aren't necessary! If this is you, learn about yourself and take counter action. If you are overly stubborn and never give way to minor points, know this about yourself. Your stubbornness, holding out for 100% your own way, may cause you to lose a really great deal!

6. Back up your position with logic.

If you negotiate from a purely emotional position, emotion will sway you from your position. Fear of loss, sense of failure, conflict, pressure, sentiment! All can be applied to sway you from sticking to what you really want. When negotiating for a pay rise know what similar companies are paying for similar work. When placing an offer on a house substantiate your lower offer with the costs of repaving the driveway, renovating the bathroom, retiling the entrance?.or whatever you see needs doing. This is a much stronger position than plucking a number out of thin air!

7. Work out what you can concede.

Find something in the deal that for you will not be important but for your counterpart may be of significance. This will be like gold to you! A 'sweetener' can be what clinches the bargain in your favour. You will need to be poker faced and pretend this is a big deal to concede! Save this item for the final offer you make.

8. Have an exit strategy.

If everything goes against you, you will be saved by your contingency planning! If you don't feel in control, stop talking. Immediately!!! Make sure you are listening to the other person. If you are doing most of the talking the chances are you are doing most of the conceding. Offer to break the meeting and reconvene at another time when you have been able to consider what has already been put forward.

Skillful negotiation takes time and practice. Armed with these basic skills it doesn't matter how reticient you may feel towards negotiating an outcome you want! By applying these keys you will be well positioned to improve your negotiation skills and feel more empowered when approaching tricky situations.

(c) Kim Beardsmore

Kim Beardsmore operates an international marketing business. We are looking for people to join our expanding team of work-at-homers. If you are serious about earning money from home and are willing to work (this isn't 'get rich quick'), then we'd like to help you grow a profitable business. We offer complete training, online and offline resources and a partnership for success: http://free2liv.com/?refid=ngtat-567885474


MORE RESOURCES:

BBC News

Police official meets with Akko’s Arab leadership
Ynetnews, Israel - 6 hours ago
The police announced that they are in continual contact with representatives from Akko’s Jewish leadership including Mayor Shimon Lankry and the various ...
Livni urges calm after Arabs, Jews clash in Israel Reuters
Israeli city hit by fresh clashes Tehran Times
all 785 news articles


New Detroit Hosts Leadership Summit on Race
MarketWatch - 23 hours ago
DETROIT, Oct 10, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- New Detroit begins a two-day leadership summit on race Sunday evening featuring a distinguished line-up of ...
New Detroit Hosts Leadership Summit on Race International Business Times
Summit on racism to attract 200 teens Detroit Free Press
all 18 news articles


Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium convenes in mid-November
KTIV, IA - 5 hours ago
The sixth annual Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium is set for Nov. 15 through Nov. 17 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. ...


USA Today

Obama offers leadership on financial woes
InTheNews.co.uk, UK - 20 hours ago
Full Story Barack Obama has offered what he says is the "real leadership" needed in Washington to guide the United States through its financial crisis. ...
Palin avoids gaffes, but lacks leadership The DePauw
Palin: Obama put 'ambition above country' CNN
Obama Slams McCain Mortgage Plan FOXNews
Boston Globe - Voice of America
all 1,975 news articles


Randerson to run for Welsh Lib Dem leadership
WalesOnline, United Kingdom - 3 hours ago
THE Welsh Lib Dem leadership race is officially underway, following Mike German’s farewell speech to party. Cardiff Central AM Jenny Randerson declared her ...


Vancouver Sun

In the end, it's all about leadership
The Gazette (Montreal), Canada - 12 hours ago
"Leadership" the word figures prominently in Prime Minister Stephen Harper's campaign rhetoric. It's also one of the first words you see on the Conservative ...
Canadians need leadership, not Winnipeg Sun
A different understanding of leadership Burlington Post
Harper says he's been demonized in Edmonton Sun
Globe and Mail - The Gazette (Montreal)
all 217 news articles


Cats face Weber State with league leadership on the line
Great Falls Tribune, MT - 10 hours ago
By SCOTT MANSCH • Tribune Asst. Sports Editor • October 11, 2008 BOZEMAN — The turf might be artificial, but this afternoon's Homecoming showdown between ...


Bold leadership can keep us economically strong
Tallahassee Democrat, FL - 15 hours ago
It's time we ask for bold leadership and long-term vision. Florida Chamber polling shows that the economy, personal finances, jobs and unemployment are top ...


World Socialist Web Site

Real Leadership For District Schools
Washington Post, United States - Oct 9, 2008
I am appalled that George Parker, the Washington Teachers' Union president, is not willing to show leadership and move the negotiations along. ...
Teacher As Researcher: A Paradigm for Professional Development RedOrbit
Pay Package in Limbo Washington Post
all 190 news articles


Lee sheriff gives talk on leadership
The News-Press, FL - 16 hours ago
The program is part of a larger social studies unit on citizenship and leadership. Seven first-grade classes, including Yelvington's class, ...

leadership - Google News

home | site map
© 2006
web www.worldbizinfo.com