Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1.6 Art of Negotiation
1.6 Art of Negotiation
NEGOTIATION
Executives have identified negotiation as one of the skills that business students
should possess in order to function effectively as managers.
Effective negotiation techniques are useful for self-defense and for improving
one’s own position.
Putting the proper negotiation techniques into practice increases the probability
that each party will achieve more rewards than would otherwise be the case.
SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATIONS
Good negotiators understand the implications of each item on the table, the
consequences associated with various concessions, and where the absolute
bottom line of the negotiation lies.
PREPARING FOR A NEGOTIATION
Define your goals, the other party’s goals, and the conflict.
Define the things you are willing to trade and their value to the other party.
Do the same for the other side: what they might offer you and how much it is
worth to you.
Realize that you are no weaker or stronger than the other party. The two sides
share goals and both sides are willing to trade to attain their objectives.
WHAT TO DO DURING A NEGOTIATION
If the negotiating parties must continue to work with each other, for a
negotiation to be deemed successful, the contract should be such that both sides
“can live with it.”
If the negotiation is between parties who will not interact with each other after
the completion of the deal, each side may simply try to get all they can while
reaching an agreement, without concern about the long term happiness of the
other party.
The type of negotiation strategy one chooses will directly affect the relationship
they currently share or hope to develop with the other party.
PREDATORY NEGOTIATION STRATEGY
The Think-They-Know-It-All: don’t really know much, but they are big
enough to not let their ignorance get in the way of their opinions. They can be
exaggerating, bragging, misleading and distancing.
The Yes Person: quick to agree, but slow to deliver. They leave a trail of un
kept commitments and broken promises in an attempt to please.
The No Person: deadly to morale and able to defeat big ideas with a single
syllable. Doleful and discouraging, they lead others to despair.
STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH “JERKS”
The Tank: Command respect. Stand your ground, blunt their attack, quickly
backtrack from their issues, and state your point in a non-threatening way.
The Yes Person: Make it safe for them to talk honestly, help them plan,
and ensure your commitment to them. Try to strengthen your relationship
with them.