Tips for Developing Negotiation Skills
Regardless of who you are and what you do, you will, at some point in life, be involved in negotiations. We all engage in negotiations, whether in business, workplace, or at home. Having good negotiation skills is the first step to a successful and happy life. You need to be able to argue your case effectively, persuading other people to conform to your decisions.
There are countless situations that will require excellent negotiation skills. For instance, as a businessperson you will be required to negotiate prices with your customers. If you are an employer, you will have to negotiate salaries and other work-related issues with your employees. At the same time employees need to negotiate with their employers. At home, parents and children are constantly involved in give and take situations that require extensive negotiations to take place. So then how do you acquire good negotiation skills? Here are a few practical tips on how you can improve your negotiation skills.
Understand the Various Types of Negotiation
Negotiation takes different forms, and it is important for you to know them by heart if you wish to be a good negotiator. While there are universal negotiation skills, there are specific skills that apply to each specific form of negotiation. The only way you are going to be successful in your negotiation is by understanding which skills apply to which situation. Here are the most basic types of negotiation.
- Power Play- this is an authoritarian kind of approach to issues where one party has the authority over the other. The higher party might agree to the other party’s demands or decide to backtrack later.
- Fixed Position- this approach is also referred to as take-it-or-leave-it approach. One party takes a firm position and sticks by it and unwilling to compromise. They are determined to defend their decision come what may.
- Haggling approach- it’s a special kind of approach where bargainers exaggerate their demands a bit and later agree to lower them.
- Collaborative- this approach normally ends in a win-win situation. One party achieves their objectives by helping the other party achieve theirs.
Define Your Needs and Interests
In every situation that demands negotiations, you always have to understand your needs and interests. What is it you want to achieve? Without a clear objective, you will find yourself being sidetracked by the other party. By defining your interests, you are able to know what you really want and what you can forego just to make the other party feel relevant. A god negotiator knows when to press on and when to let go. At times it’s prudent to list down your interests so that you can come up with a clear and well thought out negotiation strategy.
Know the Other Party Well
Regardless of what you are negotiating for, always treat every situation as a job interview, where you have to know your potential employer inside-out. To agree to meet a stranger for negotiations without first doing the necessary research on them is like walking on a tight rope that will is likely to break any moment. Knowing the other party’s main interests, strengths and weaknesses will give you a head start in your negotiation. In this era of social media, you won’t struggle to find important details about the other party.
Maintain a Brave Face
The moment you allow the other party intimidate you, that’s the end of you. Never use a weak voice or wear a timid face when negotiating. Always look the other party in the eye and use a strong voice when making your point. Remember: you do not have to necessarily shout to make a point.
by Godzilink, Looking for better Jobs? http://www.godzilink.com/
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