10 Tips to Create a Win/Win Outcome in Negotiations

Peter Barron Stark outlines the first 5 tips to a win/win negotiation. For the last five tips, visit http://everyonenegotiates.com/negotia....

1. Remember, everything is negotiable
2. Create a positive, compelling vision
3. Prepare in advance
4. Listen
5. Ask questions
6. Set a goal for each negotiable deal point
7. Aim your aspirations high
8. Develop options and strategies
9. Think like a dolphin.
10. Be Honest and Fair.

Transcript:

So you're going into a negotiation. Here are ten tips to help you create a win-win outcome.

Tip #1 is to remember everything is negotiable. Well, there are a couple of exceptions. When you're born, not negotiable. When you die, not negotiable, and when you go into an Apple computer store, not negotiable. Whether you want to buy an iPod, an iTouch, an iPad or a Macbook Pro, whatever the price is on the counter, that's what you're paying. And it doesn't matter whether you want 1 or you want 10, the price is the price at the Apple store. In fact, you pay full price they put it into a backpack, you strap it on and walk out and through the mall telling everybody that you just paid full price and you're proud of that. With the exception of those three, remember everything else is negotiable.

Tip #2 is going into a negotiation, you've got to crystallize a compelling positive vision of the outcome. When it comes to visions, there are three types. Vision #1 is this: I'm going into this negotiation and, although it may be tough, if anybody can create a win-win and walk out with the deal points I need, I can do it. Vision #2 in a negotiation is what I call vision of the status quo. I just want to hang on to what I've got and hopefully maintain status quo in the relationship. And, vision #3 and all of us have known at least one person who has this: You think today is bad, you just wait. It's gonna get even worse. Meaning these negotiators go into the negotiation thinking that they're going to lose and get their clock cleaned. Point #2 says this. For you to create win-win and walk out with your needs and goals met, you've gotta have a positive vision of the outcome.

Point #3 is advanced preparation is absolutely critical for your success. In fact, we're fond of saying, "The side of who is best prepared usually achieves the best outcome. The more time that you put into preparation, understanding the information, understating the facts, making sure that you set a goal for every negotiable issue and determine what your wish is before going into that negotiation and to determine a bottom line, the better prepared you are, the better your outcome.

Points #4 and 5 is that the best negotiators I've ever worked with are the very best listeners and when they do talk they usually ask a great question, that helps them to advance their position. When we think about negotiation, we think of that as an active skill. I've gotta tell you what you want and I've gotta convince you to give it up and give it to me. The best negotiators are great listeners. They indirectly tell their counterparts I care about you and I value your opinion. And when they do speak, they are asking absolutely great questions.

So here are the first 5 points. Remember, everything is negotiable. Point # 2. You need a compelling positive vision. Point # 3. Advanced preparation is absolutely critical to your success. Points # 4 and 5. Ask great questions and listen.

For the last five of the 10 points, go to our website, http://everyonenegotiates.com/negotia.... We hope that you enjoy the resources.