Folks from New Jersey are natural negotiators. As kids we negotiated trading baseball cards. As teens we negotiated with our parents in the hope of using the family car. As adults we negotiate with everybody—from the guy behind the deli counter to the salesman we talk to at our favorite car dealership.
It was all good practice for when we turned professional, because as managers, the ability to use win-win negotiation skills can make all the difference in negotiating success. Likewise, it can be essential when influencing coworkers and facilitating constructive, positive relationships. Here are 6 things Dale Carnegie Training that managers should think about when preparing for a negotiation.
Know what you want — As a manager, it’s important to go into a negotiation knowing what you want your end result to be. Make sure you put a lot of time and thought into what you want and why you want it. Remember that it is important for you to consider what’s in it for you financially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically.
Know what your counterpart wants — Your counterpart will also have an agenda when he or she enters the negotiation. Make it a point to understand beforehand what he or she wants the conclusion of this negotiation to be. Understand the financial, emotional, intellectual or physical resolution that he or she is looking to walk away with.
Anticipate objections — The negotiation process is not always easy. As a manager, you have to understand that you will meet some objections from your employee or significant counterpart along the way. You need to prepare yourself for this by doing your due diligence prior to the negotiation.
Identify concessions — Determine your absolute non-negotiable items and what you are willing to give and take. You are certainly not going to walk away from every negotiation with all of your needs satisfied. Negotiations are all about the give and take, and as a manager you need to be prepared to meet your employee half way.
Determine your “walk-away” — Prior to the start of negotiations, define the point at which there is no need to proceed with the negotiationThis will be your single most important source of negotiating power, so once your “walk-away” point is met, you need to make sure you take action.
Practice with a partner — As is the case with any important presentation you have ever made, you always want to practice. You could be faced with a difficult discussion and it is always best to make sure you rehearse possible outcomes. By practicing with someone else you will build your confidence with the situation and it will ultimately help the negotiation run as smoothly as possible.
Consider these six criteria prior to your next negotiation and—fuggedaboutit!—you’re bound to come out on top!
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