Warning Your Negotiation Skills Are Lacking

Warning Your Negotiation Skills Are Lacking The art of negotiation is just that: an art. And according to some folks including business expert Jack Welch its a lost art. Understanding how negotiation works is valuable, especially when your career is not developing in the direction youd like it to. When you think of negotiations, you might imagine board rooms and intense business deals. And yes, negotiation skills are very important in keeping your business positions. But these skills are valuable in other areas of your life, too. So, no matter why you want to improve your negotiation skills, lets take a look at getting what you want using simple negotiation tactics. What Do You Want? Before any negotiation, you should take the time to properly prepare yourself. The first thing to ask yourself is what you are hoping to accomplish. With a clear goal in mind, you`ll have an easier time working your way towards it. Get The Facts Youll likely have to do some research. Ideally, you want to enter into the negotiation being as well informed as possible. You want to be knowledgeable about the issue at hand AND about the person with whom youll be negotiating. If you know a little bit about the other person, their experience, and their motivations, the more you can gauge how to approach them. Attempting to profile them in advance will help you to prepare for your negotiation. However, make sure that you dont form a bias which can negatively impact the negotiations. What Will You Settle For? Be willing and prepared to make certain compromises. You will already have an idea in your mind of what youre looking for, but it might be necessary to settle for less. Think through potential scenarios ahead of time so youre not blindsided mid-negotiation. Just Walk Away Don`t be afraid to walk away from a bad negotiation. This is a common tip when youre applying for a new job. Its okay to realize you arent going to come to an agreement or a solution that is acceptable to both parties, and to respectfully stand up and walk away. As long as you`re respectful about it, this might be all it takes to get the other side to give in. Keep in mind that using this tactic as a bluff is very risky, so dont fake it just to get a slightly better deal if theres a risk of losing it all. Remember: Its Just Business Finally, dont take it personally. Dont get discouraged or lose confidence if a negotiation doesnt go your way. Likewise, also dont allow a success or two get to your head and cause you to lose focus for next time. If you want to improve your negotiation skills further, you might consider taking some training courses. Becoming a confident skilled negotiator is possible if you take the time to learn the techniques and practice regularly. Yes, it takes effort, but you may find it  well worth the time as you utilize your new skills to get what you want. All the time! About the Author: Mary Ann Keeling is a freelance writer and a blogger who works from home. She runs a successful small business and is pursuing a law degree. You can follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnKeeling. Image courtesy of rarpia.