Just Exactly What is A Negotiation?

Negotiators need to learn the building blocks of negotiation business skills

We all know that it is tough to do a good job of negotiating a deal. In fact, many people dread negotiation, not recognizing that they negotiate on a regular, even daily basis. Most of us face formal negotiations throughout our personal and professional lives in many different forms during which we all use many … Read more

Negotiators Need To Know How To Use 5 Conflict Resolution Strategies

When negotiators have to resolve conflicts, they need resolution strategies

When negotiators have to resolve conflicts, they need resolution strategies Image Credit: Photo by Victor Benard on Unsplash So during a negotiation, when you know the other side is wrong in how they are viewing the world, what do you do? If you are like most of us, you probably have a tendency to try … Read more

What Type Of Negotiation Should You Use Next Time?

Picking the right type of negotiation is key to getting the deal you want

Let’s face it, by now you realize that not every negotiation is the same. Each and every negotiation that we engage in has its own set of characteristics and qualities that set it apart from all of the other negotiations that we’ve been part of. However, the good news here is that all of the … Read more

What Do We Need To Keep Secret During A Negotiation?

There are both risks and rewards to sharing too much with the other side

The reason that a negotiation is necessary is because the other side has information that we don’t have. Likewise, we know things that the other side does not know and the purpose of a negotiation is to use your negotiation styles and negotiating techniques to exchange enough information so that both sides can agree on … Read more

Should We Eat While We Negotiate?

Will sharing a meal with the other side lead to a better deal?

So I’m willing to admit it – I like food. A lot. When we are getting ready to negotiate with someone, there is always the possibility of conducting our negotiations with all of their negotiation styles and negotiating techniques while sharing a meal with them. As tasty as this may seem, it does lead to … Read more

What Should Negotiators Do When The Good Cop / Bad Cop Shows Up?

Negotiators need to know how to identify and defuse this tactic

Ah, the good cop / bad cop tactic. You know, we’ve seen this used in so many different TV shows and movies that you would sorta think that everyone would recognize it when it was being used on them by now. However, that’s where you would be wrong. It turns out that this tactic is … Read more

The Problem With Different Cultures And Negotiations

Negotiating across cultures can be difficult to do

Every time that we start a negotiation, we begin with the best of intentions. It really does not matter who we are negotiating with. The other side can be from down the road or from around the world, we simply want to reach a good deal with them. However, when the other side comes from … Read more

What Should Be On Your Negotiation Checklist?

Negotiators who go into a negotiation well prepared both create and claim value

As negotiators, every time that we enter into a negotiation we hope to be able to use our negotiation styles and negotiating techniques to walk away with a deal that we can live with. However, in order for that to happen we have to have taken the time to prepare for the negotiation. All too … Read more

How Negotiators Can Learn To Handle Deal Spoilers

A deal spoiler can happen at any time and negotiators need to be ready to deal with it

So how many times has this happened to you? You are involved in a negotiation. Everything seems to be going pretty well – your negotiation styles and negotiating techniques seem to be working. A deal is starting to form up and both sides are starting to see what they may be able to walk away … Read more

What Can Principal Agent Theory Teach Negotiators?

Is there a gap between you and your agent's incentives?

There are times when something is being negotiated that we choose to not go it alone. Instead, we decide that we need some help. When this happens we may bring in an agent to represent us to the other side . However, this can cause problems. If you do this, you wonder whether you can … Read more