How many times have you attended a wedding and during the toast someone mentioned what it takes to make a great marriage.  We have heard everything from being a good listener to spending quality time together to responding with “Yes, dear!”  While all of these things certainly are important, perhaps the secret to a happy marriage is learning the art of negotiating with your spouse.  Most married couples have found themselves at some point comparing their chores and responsibilities to that of their spouse.  We can almost hear ourselves saying “I have done the dishes every night this week.  It’s your turn!”  Inevitably, these kinds of conversations leave both parties feeling frustrated, underappreciated, and angry.  Conflict is inevitable in any marriage and you and your spouse are bound to disagree on things.  However, this doesn’t mean that conflict has to lead to fighting.  There is a better solution.  Learning how to negotiate with your spouse can help you deal with conflict in a way that is healthy and where you can both sustain your love for one another.  Here’s how to negotiate with your spouse so that you both win!

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Everyone knows that you have to negotiate to buy a car.  It is expected and is pretty obvious from the moment you step on the lot.  But what about the more subtle forms of negotiation?  Do we even recognize when these occur?  Much of our life involves negotiation and it can be to your advantage to learn the tricks of becoming a skilled negotiator. Subtlety is a key component in getting people to do what you want.  Call it manipulation if you will, but when you can negotiate without appearing like you’re negotiating, you immediately gain the upper hand.  Here are a few tips for learning the art of subtle negotiation.

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One of the most challenging things to do as an employee is asking your boss for a raise.  Many people don’t enjoy negotiating and feel uncomfortable asking for more money.  However, securing a raise is critical if you want to achieve financial success.  If you have been putting in extra hours, meeting or exceeding performance goals, and creating positive results for your company then it might be time to ask for a raise.  Remember the old adage, “nothing ventured, nothing gained” and go for it! Here’s how you to plan the perfect pitch in order to negotiate the pay you deserve.

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Most consumers agree that they hate nothing as much as shopping for a car. Car salesmen have a reputation for squeezing every last dime out of their customers and they are actually pretty good at it.  Why…because car salesmen are excellent negotiators.  They negotiate all day every day so when you step on the lot, you better come prepared so you can find leverage against these experienced negotiators.    The next time you step onto a car lot, try a few of these negotiating tactics and you just might find yourself driving home in the car of your dreams. Continue reading →

We have all been in a situation where we are trying to reason with an incredibly difficult person.  It can be frustrating to say the least.  They might act aggressive or try to control the conversation and sometimes can be a bit confrontational.  While it is may seem impossible to reason with an unreasonable person, you can defuse the situation by staying calm and with the right communication techniques,v8 you just might find that you have turned that aggression into cooperation.  Below are just a few tips on how to negotiate with difficult individuals.  Continue reading →

For many people, the thought of negotiating is enough to cause a stomachache to ensue.  Negotiation can be uncomfortable, nerve-wracking, and unpleasant for those who are shy or introverted. Then, however, there are those who can strike up a conversation with anyone and have the ability to sweet talk their way out of just about any situation. They are confident, likable, and have incredible communication skills.  These people might be considered natural born negotiators.  Luckily for these people, there are plenty of high-paying jobs that allow them to exercise this valuable skill on a daily basis.  Here are just a few of the best jobs for natural negotiators. Continue reading →

So many aspects of our lives are influenced by negotiations and yet so many people spend time learning what it takes to become great at this skill.  Some people who have spent years perfecting this skill are attorneys.  Law is a profession that requires an innate ability to read people and know how to react to what they are saying.  After all, they have to negotiate for a living.  Since negotiation plays such a crucial role in an attorney’s profession, they have learned plenty of tips and tricks along the way.  These same tricks can be utilized in the business world to build better relationships, negotiate salary, make better purchases, and handle disagreements.  Here are just a few important negotiating strategies that are utilized by attorneys.  Continue reading →

It’s not something we think about every day but the fact is our global society is highly dependent on effective negotiations.  Negotiation stops wars and signs treaties.  Negotiations are the foundation of humanitarian initiatives.  Negotiation is what builds corporations and drives our economic growth.  We rarely think about the impact negotiation has on our country and how it has impacted the world throughout history.  The following master negotiators have made some of the most pertinent decisions that changed the course of history. Continue reading →

The ability to negotiate well is an art that encompasses several key components such as clear thinking, effective communication, the ability to listen, and the ability to see alternate points of view. Each of these skills requires clarity of mind in order to verbalize your thoughts as well as a capacity for empathy so that you can remove your ego from the negotiation. Meditation allows a person to enhance all of these skills. Therefore, if you want to make the most of your next negotiation, you might consider meditating beforehand. Continue reading →

If you are going to be successful in the corporate world you need to get comfortable asking for what you want. Most people, however, are extremely uncomfortable negotiating and asking for things they need. People avoid asking for things for fear of rejection. They are worried that they will come across as too aggressive or that they will offend the other party. That said you will never get what you want unless you ask for it. If there is something you need, be it a pay raise, a promotion, or a deal with a client, you need to step up and get ready to negotiate for it. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of a negotiation.

Assume You Will Get It
When you remove the fear of rejection, you become more confident. You have the ability to take the emotion out of it and focus on a win-win solution. Assuming you will get what you want enables you to make more thoughtful decisions and earn more respect in the negotiation.

Practice Your Pitch
We are all familiar with the saying “practice makes perfect.” While there is no guarantee that practicing your sales pitch will get you the close, it will certainly increase your chances. Familiarize yourself with the information and enter the negotiation prepared to go for the win. The more knowledgeable you are and the more prepared you are, the better your chances of getting what you want.

Sell Yourself
Never walk into a negotiation asking for what you want. Instead, be prepared to explain why you deserve it. There is a huge difference between saying “I need a raise” versus “ I have hit my goals for the past 6 months and I think my work has proved that I am worth more than what I am currently making.” This puts the ball in the manager’s court and forces him to provide an explanation or to concede with a pay raise.

Know the Other Side
In any negotiation, it is important to know what the other party wants. You have a lot more leverage if you can provide what the other person needs. Negotiations are about creating win-win solutions so you need to make sure you know what it is that your counterpart is looking for. If you want a raise, be prepared to promise results and revenue. If you are looking to close a deal with a client, make sure you give them what they need if they are willing to pay your price. The best negotiators are the ones who know how to listen to the other party.

Be Prepared to Walk Away
It is one of the hardest things to do but you must make it clear to the other party that you are willing to walk if the terms are not to your liking. Know your target price and your walk away price before you ever begin the negotiation. This prevents you from agreeing to unreasonable demands and also puts more pressure on the other party to give you what you want.

Know Your Worth
If you want to get what you want out of a negotiation you must first know yourself. Your best bargaining tactic is your self-worth. Make sure you know what you bring to the table and be prepared to effectively communicate that. Take the time to compile a list of strengths, skills, and accomplishments. Present this during your negotiation and make sure your manager knows you provide something that is valuable. Once you have showcased your worth, be prepared to negotiate as if your life depends on it!