7 Steps To Effective Negotiations

So much of leadership, requires the ability to negotiate, effectively, and wisely, yet, so few individuals, who, either ascend to, are elected, and/ or selected, to these positions, appear prepared to do so, in the most professional manner. Only when a leader realizes, how important, it is, to proceed, consistently, with the ability to pursue the finest, professionally - developed, negotiations, will he make the greatest impact, for the better, for the organization, he represents, and the stakeholders, he serves. With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly identify, consider, review and discuss, 7 steps towards effective negotiations, including how important, the preparation of a relevant, Request for Proposal, or RFP, is, to making a difference, for the better.

1. Know the purpose: Don't jump into any negotiation, unless/ until, you first fully understand and appreciate the purpose, you wish to achieve, and consider your priorities, and focus! One must be able, to thoroughly explain the needs, to the other side, if he hopes to achieve his objectives, but, that means, first understanding them, himself! Once this is understood, it should become the preliminary focus, of the RFP, which you submit, as the first - step, in a professional negotiating process!

2. Clarify position/ needs: Effectively negotiating, never should include, distorting, and/ or lying about what you organization offers, to the other negotiator, because, unless you earn the trust, you'll never achieve, in the long - run, the proper objectives! The clearer, you explain, what you need, and the better you identify the difference between needs, and wishes, the better your results! Seek a win - win scenario, if you hope to achieve what you seek!

3. Useful budgeting: Rather than creating a budget, after - the - fact, hoping to squeeze, a square - peg, into  round - hole, one should create a realistic, useful budget, which requires, under - estimating revenues, and over - stating expenditures. Include every foreseeable expense, from marketing, and attracting attendees, to venue expenses, including Food and Beverage, etc, to transportation, etc, costs, and negotiate, based on a realistic understanding, of what you can afford, and clearly, explain that, to the other negotiator. This should be the preliminary basis of your RFP.

4. Open and honest; empathetic: Study what the other side needs, and seeks, and seek to create a meeting - of - the - minds, where both sides, work together, to share savings, and proceed, effectively! The combination of genuine empathy, as well as integrity, are essential components, in this process!

5. Priorities vs Wish - list: Identify, understand, and differentiate between the priorities, and your wish - list. While there are some items, which might be sacrificed, in a specific negotiation, these must not be any of the priorities!

6. Effective negotiating: Think - outside - the - box! Discuss approaches, which will benefit both sides, so everyone considers this a win! That is the key to effective negotiating!

7. Close the deal: Move the process, along, towards a successful conclusion. This means, showing how this make sense, to both sides, and after, meaningfully, negotiating, for over 4 decades, it means closing, the deal.I like to use, something like this expression, In light of how this benefits both of us, and makes sense, for us to proceed, doesn't it make sense, to come to a meeting - of - the - minds, as soon as possible, and proceed forward? Doesn't it?

Whether you are negotiating for an event, office space, or anything else, a real leader must do so, as professionally, as possible! Will you have the patience, understanding, and persistence, to do so?