Comments on: Giveaway of Negotiation Genius

By: Ian

Ian — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:47:44 +0000

In my years of negotiating, with family, with employees, with vendors, the most powerful tool was listening. By hearing and processing what the other side is saying, you can not only make good tactical decisions based on their position, but you can validate them in ways that will bring you both closer together.
Acknowledging that the other side has a unique point of view, and that you both have to understand the other’s position can get you to that point of “equilibrium” the economists say is the ideal point of agreement.
Good luck.

By: lauren

lauren — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 01:38:09 +0000

My best negotiating skill is as follows when you are talking to a client pause when they say something almost to cause and awkward silence so they explain more about what they are talking about, so you get to elaborate and ramble and you get more info out of them

By: David T

David T — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 00:29:14 +0000

I would have to say to be always prepared. Do the research beforehand. If you are negotiating your salary, know what people in similar positions are getting paid. If you are negotiating a bargain, research how much the item is really worth beforehand, know how much you are willing to pay for it, and be willing to walk away if it doesn’t match your beforehand researched price. Preparation is key for everything.

By: the Wizard

the Wizard — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 17:42:23 +0000

I agree with alot of the above posts that you have to be willing to walk away. If the deal is not what you want, walk away.

Also don’t be in a big hurry, take your time, and silence is your friend.

Cheers

By: Line

Line — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 01:19:47 +0000

Try never to have to vote for something. Rather discuss until you find a solution that works for both groups, or the feeling of winners/losers will follow and can create segregation in the workplace.

By: donna

donna — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 17:58:39 +0000

Understand what the other party wants and what you want before going in. And be willing to walk away if you are at all uncomfortable. There’s no point in dealing with people who make you uncomfortable.

By: skadoo323

skadoo323 — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 20:05:40 +0000

Honestly I think the best tip which has worked well with me when purchasing property and cars has been make it seems as if you are not in need of the item you are negotiating over. For example when negotiating the price of a house you want to buy, make it seem as if you don’t mind if you loose out on an offer. On a property purchase last year I really wanted the property, so I made an offer, but it was a really low offer. Roughly $28,000 less than the asking price. The sellers countered with only $18,000 less than the asking price, I said ok fine, not a big deal I can look at another property. 10 mins later I get a call back from the seller’s agent saying they have accepted my original offer. I have had this happen when purchasing used vehicles as well.

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 12:55:28 +0000

get everything that you talked about and agreed to in writing.

By: Josh

Josh — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 07:21:18 +0000

I didn’t read through all the comments that are here so not sure if someone already mentioned it….This goes for anything, even a job. May not necessarily be in $$ terms but if you want a company vehicle, ask for it and maybe a gas card and something else. Then after negotiating, hopefully you have still landed the vehicle and just given up the gas card and whatever else you asked for, items that you really weren’t after! This will give you room to move and still get what you want, and the other person will probably be satisfied with what they give you. In fact, they may even think that by giving you the vehicle, they got off easy because they didn’t have to provide a gas card or whatever else you asked for.

By: MoneyNing

MoneyNing — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:54:13 +0000

Know the competition so you can think of why your opposition will say yes to your offer. This will help you make the best offer possible for yourself.

By: EA

EA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:10:48 +0000

I don’t have a good tip, which is why I need this book (I’m going for the random drawing).

I guess my best tip is to know what you really want, and what you’ll accept. Be willing to give up anything that doesn’t fall into those categories in order to get what’s important to you. If you take time to think about these things, you’re negotiation will go much better.

By: Presh Talwalkar

Presh Talwalkar — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:19:34 +0000

Here is my best negotiating tip: limit your acceptable options and threaten to leave if they cannot be met.

Take Roger Clemens as an example. As a 45-year old pitcher, he was able to extract an amazing $18.5 million from the Yankees AND he had a special clause about not having to travel. I’m pretty sure he made his acceptable options quite unreasonable until the Yankees caved in.

I find this works for regular folks like me too. I know people who are constantly put on good projects ahead of more-qualified employees. This is because those people are the first to complain about boring projects and threaten to do less work if their career objectives are not being met.

By: dan

dan — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:45:19 +0000

Ask for more than you expect to get and you may just get it. Even if you don’t, it gives you wiggle room during the negotiations.

By: VG

VG — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:11:05 +0000

When negotiating always ask for few things that you really don’t need, then when asked to make Concession, give away those things and still come out getting what you wanted.

By: Adam

Adam — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:55:36 +0000

Always have experience on your side. If you’ve never bought a car before, try to tag along with someone who is doing just that before you try it yourself. If that is not an option, bring someone who has done it before. Getting tips from people are one thing, but seeing someone implementing some of their own ideas is definitely invaluble teaching.