Are you preparing for business negotiations? Are you nervous, are you not sure about your negotiating skills, or do you simply want to increase the chances of successfully closing the deal? Then the following ten tips from the server BusinessKnowHow are meant for you.
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Negotiate with an equal. Make sure that the one you are negotiating with has the authority to make relevant decisions.
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Be 100% sure about anything you write down. Whatever is put in writing cannot be changed. If a verbal agreement becomes a written one, always check everything twice.
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Convince your customer about the benefits of your product. If this is not done at the very beginning, the client will be in the negotiating mode and will not be as willing to speak frankly.
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If necessary, walk away. Do not be afraid to end the deal, but first think about the long-term effect of such an action. Maybe you should first talk the matter over with other individuals involved.
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Make sure that you can offer at least 5 things the client wants.
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Beat the competition. Not only with lower prices, but with a better offer of service, quality, and other benefits.
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Treat your negotiating partner with respect. It is only business, never cross the line into the realm of personal disagreement.
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It should be clear to both of you what the negotiation is about. Define explicitly at the very beginning the purpose and the target of the meeting. Then you will not waste time with unnecessary digressions.
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Confirm the result by writing it down immediately. Once you have reached a successful conclusion of the negotiation, seize the opportunity to demand it in a written form.
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At the end, thank your business partner. But do not be too happy! The conclusion of the deal should be beneficial to both parties. If you are overly happy, the client may get the feeling that he or she has lost.
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