Blog: The Negotiation Edge

Let’s face it: The business world isn’t always easy for women. 

No matter how accomplished and experienced we are, it seems like it’s only a matter of time before a counterpart will use our womanhood against us—or at least try to.

As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. 

Incorporate these negotiation exercises into your routine to increase the chances that your next deal goes off without a hitch.

The best negotiators in the world are always trying to learn new skills and figure out what they can do to negotiate more effectively.

Contrary to what you might think, becoming a better negotiator doesn’t necessarily require you to make massive, sweeping changes to your approach. It’s possible to improve your negotiation skills using simple tricks and tactics.

With that in mind, here are four easy tips to increase sales during your next negotiation.

When many people sit down at the table with potential clients, the obvious goal is to make a connection. A good connection can create a lasting partnership that can benefit everyone in meaningful ways. Here’s the problem - frequently they go about this by trying  to establish common ground to form said connection.. When it comes to building a lasting partnership, common ground is a weak foundation.

Instead of establishing common ground, good negotiators build a real connection by expressing genuine understanding through tactical empathy. It’s an easy way to improve sales, and build a vast network of business relationships

If you are genuinely trying to understand the other side and build rapport, then you will be standing on solid ground even if the deal falls apart. Because you know exactly what this person has experienced, you can pick things up where you left off when the situation warrants.

When a woman sits down at the negotiating table, her counterpart may harbor a number of preconceived notions about her, sometimes consciously but frequently not. Though it certainly doesn’t feel fair because these stereotypes have nothing to do with you as the woman at the table, you will nevertheless need to guard against them to get the results she’s aiming for.