Business Negotiations

I remember a business certificate course I attended in Canada and one of the business workshops focused on business negotiations.

Part of the game was to learn how to Haggle.

What is haggle?

ˈhaɡ(ə)l/ verb to dispute or bargain persistently, especially over the cost of something.

All great when the goal is to build a relationship and the participants are aiming for the ideal WIN / WIN Situation.

In the world of Fair Play and Good Faith – the following academic tips work.

1)    Know your SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) and /or  Six Thinking Hats strategy.

  •  Six Thinking Hats is a system designed by Edward de Bono which describes a tool for group discussion and individual thinking involving six colored hats. “Six Thinking Hats” and the associated idea parallel thinking provide a means for groups to plan thinking processes in a detailed and cohesive way, and in doing so to think together more effectively.

 

2)    Know your Budget, the market range and value.

3)    Be reasonable – Think Big – But be real.

4)    Know your opponent’s objections.

5)    LISTEN

Look.

Inquire.

Summarize.

Take Notes.

Encourage.

Neutral.

6)    Close the deal or walk away (The ABC of Business – Always be closing).

7) Code of Ethics – Do you have one? Or is it dog eat dog?

 

In reality, I have found negotiations to be like from the film Apocalypse Now – “The Horror. The Horror.”

Feel free to send me some of your negotiation stories. I look forward to reading them.

Best,

Vincent C. Torrieri

Written by

Vincent Towerpast

English Language Consultant for Business English courses and Journalist - Foreign Correspòndent