I
negotiate with hundreds of people a year – both online and offline – haggling,
whether it is with customers, suppliers, investors, or would-be employees.
I can humbly say I learned over the years to negotiate like a “true master” though we all sometimes get into trouble – when something careless just slips out.
Here are a few but priceless tips as to what to avoid if you are really keen on improving your negotiation skills.
1. Avoid the word “between.” It often feels reasonable—and therefore like progress—to throw out a range. With a customer, that may mean saying “I can do this for between $10,000 and $15,000.” With a potential hire, you could be tempted to say, “You can start between April 1 and April 15.”
But that word “between” tends to be tantamount to a concession, and any shrewd negotiator with whom you deal will swiftly zero-in on the cheaper price or the later deadline. In other words, you will find that by saying the word “between” you will automatically have conceded ground without extracting anything in return.
Read More: Business Negotiation Strategies
I can humbly say I learned over the years to negotiate like a “true master” though we all sometimes get into trouble – when something careless just slips out.
Here are a few but priceless tips as to what to avoid if you are really keen on improving your negotiation skills.
1. Avoid the word “between.” It often feels reasonable—and therefore like progress—to throw out a range. With a customer, that may mean saying “I can do this for between $10,000 and $15,000.” With a potential hire, you could be tempted to say, “You can start between April 1 and April 15.”
But that word “between” tends to be tantamount to a concession, and any shrewd negotiator with whom you deal will swiftly zero-in on the cheaper price or the later deadline. In other words, you will find that by saying the word “between” you will automatically have conceded ground without extracting anything in return.
Read More: Business Negotiation Strategies
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