5 Tips For Negotiating Better

What are tips for negotiating better?

1. Make the first offer
2. Ask open-ended questions — and listen
3. Don’t be in a hurry
4. Remember it’s not personal
5. Tough guys don’t win

Whether you’re making a case for a salary raise or overseeing a business deal, negotiation is something that every professional will experience. However, successfully negotiating with another person is no easy feat.

That’s why it’s important to build up your skills, and know how to improve your tactics. Here are our top tips for negotiating better to help you out: 

Make the first offer

One of the best ways to take charge of a negotiation is to set the tone. To do that, you have to be the one to make the first offer. Setting the initial terms of the negotiation will help you steer the discussion towards your underlying interests. Once you do, it’s up to the other person to propose an alternative or accept your offer.

Ask open-ended questions — and listen

That said, negotiations are not all about how you start them. You need to have a back-and-forth dialogue with the other person to make things work. This will reveal more information about your negotiations. 

To do this, try asking open-ended questions. This is important as it helps you understand their wants, needs, and interests. The key here is not just focusing on saying the right thing — you also have to listen intently to what they say. Only then can you find out about their motivations for the negotiation. 

Don’t be in a hurry

Negotiations take time — especially when you want them to end successfully! So, don’t try to rush things. Don’t be afraid to negotiate for hours, or even days at a time.

Take the time to establish rapport with the other party. Just as you want them to reveal information, you can also do the same to build up trust and interest between the two of you! 

Doing this may just shift your negotiations from a battle to a productive, friendly conversation. So, don’t be afraid to draw things out, as it can help you and the other party to better understand each other. 

Remember it’s not personal

It can be easy to let your emotions get the better of you in a heated situation — which negotiations often are! But, allowing this to happen may hurt your chances of getting a good deal.

The challenge here is to turn moments where you feel personally attacked into moments of curiosity. Try asking for feedback or clarification, rather than getting defensive. 

And, it’s best to know your emotional triggers. Knowing what they are will help you steer the conversation away from them. Or, it will help you be better prepared for the moment they do get triggered. 

Tough guys don’t win

Good negotiation isn’t just about you winning — both parties need to feel good about the outcome! So, always approach your negotiations to make a win-win situation. Aside from benefiting you, it will also help improve your reputation if you make it a point to negotiate. fairly and with respect. As a result, you may just see more open doors for new business deals and the like down the road! 

Key Takeaway

There is no foolproof way to succeed in every negotiation you enter. However, you can use these tips for negotiating better to improve your chances! 

If you need more business or professional advice, message Benito Keh — a reputable entrepreneur and successful businessman!