Become a Master Negotiator: 7 Keys

HR managers negotiate every day. In today’s Advisor, powerhouse negotiator Eldonna Lewis Fernandez, author of Think Like a Negotiator, shares expert tips.

To help individuals maximize their bargaining prowess in business and in life, Fernandez has identified 7 critical strategies for emerging victorious in any negotiation.

1. Project Confidence Through Preparedness

Many people think they need to show a certain kind of confidence, like being loud, bold or brazen, to successfully negotiate a deal. Others think that a lot of experience is required to be a good negotiator. Most of the time it merely takes tenacity and good old preparation to ensure you are aptly equipped to assert mutually desirable terms, anticipate objections, and discern what motivators or “hot buttons” will resonate with your opponent. Projecting confidence also means having heart, which is endearing to others whether or not you have years of negotiation experience. This can also result in the opposition having a less defensive stance, making them more amenable to your stipulations. Projecting a notable level of confidence, and backing that up with solid, well-researched information, will help ensure you prevail.

2. Understand that Everything Is Negotiable

When you think like a negotiator, everything is negotiable! It’s a mind-set you have to operate from in order to become not just a good negotiator, but a great one. When you decide that the terms for anything can be changed in your favor, a world of opportunity presents. Of course, as with most things in life, there will be rules to adhere to with each deal on the table, which are needed to evade chaos and keep discussions on track. However, even rules are negotiable! They can be modified if you simply propose an ethical, viable, and mutually beneficial alternative solution. Powerful negotiators are rule breakers!

3. Create a Strong Foundation by Building Relationships First

This is probably one of the most important things an individual can do in regards to negotiation and in business in general. Perhaps you have attended the standard “networking” event where you give dozens of cards out without having a real conversation with anyone. It’s time to slow down and start making real connections with people—particularly those you might be involved in a deal with later on. Find out something about them and their lives. Get personal. Much useful information can be gleaned during casual conversation, including what they value in life, what motivates them, what annoys them, their ethics, etc. Find out something about them, personally, and not just about their business. You might be surprised how well you can leverage what you learn through a genuine conversation with someone.

4. Ask for What You Want

There is one key truth in negotiations: you must ask for what you want. Sounds simple enough, but in practice it can often be daunting. People naturally fear rejection or were taught not to be “greedy” as children, so we instinctually refrain from asking for things in life. However, in business, rejection is never personal—it’s merely a reflection that you did not present a viable argument substantiating why you should get what you want. If you hear “no,” it’s the offer that is being rejected, not you, so keep emotions in check and recalibrate your approach. “No” often just reflects a need for more information, and take heart in knowing that people say no an average of 3 times before they say “yes.” It is important to understand that if you don’t ask you don’t get and the only way to master the art of rejection is to get rejected and keep asking. When negotiating, make it a priority to ask for exactly what you want. Most of the time you will either receive what you want or an acceptable alternative.

5. Use the Power of Silence

Talking too much is a sure-fire way to kill a deal.  Have you ever been offered a product or service, and the salesperson kept talking until he or she talked you right out of the purchase? If they would have simply asked for the sale and stopped talking, their chance for success would have increased significantly. Never underestimate the power of silence.  There’s an old adage that says “he or she who speaks next loses.” When discussing a deal, if you simply stop talking and get comfortable with the awkwardness of silence, your ability to win your argument, sell the product, or get a concession in the negotiation increases significantly.

6. Document Everything

The importance of getting the final agreement in writing cannot be stressed enough.  Even better, consult with a contracts attorney to review contractual documents or any that require a signature.  The purpose of a written agreement or contract is to provide protection for both sides and alleviate any ambiguity of terms.  A myriad of problems can occur when the terms of a deal are not put in writing because what you “think” the other party said and what they “think” you said can be two different things.  Documenting the agreement eliminates such “perception” problems and protects the interests of all parties involved.

7. Understand Exactly What You Are Signing

Before you sign on the dotted line, it is imperative you read what you are signing—no matter how large of a packet it entails.  Modern life is fast-paced and people are usually engaged in multiple things at once, making it difficult to focus and causing some to sign legal documents without reading them first.  The result can be nothing short of disastrous. Make sure you read any agreement or contract in full, to ensure you are not confirming terms you will regret and cannot undo, which can cause copious problems for your future.

“While even the word ‘negotiation’ can evoke fear, stress, and anxiety for many, the intent is quite simple: to discuss and ultimately agree on a deal,” says Fernandez. “Whether it’s a multimillion dollar contract or just deciding where to meet for lunch, life is rife with negotiations. And, the negotiation process is a lot like a chess game where strategy reigns supreme—one thoughtfully considered move at a time. Make a careless, short-sighted, ill-conceived move and suffer the perilous consequences.”

Negotiation is a good skill to have in order to keep your best employees engaged at your company rather than yearning for greener pastures—the related challenges of retention and turnover are on every HR manager’s front burner. Turnover is your organization’s most debilitating disease.

Source: HR Daily Adviser