Tips to the Negotiation Process

Allow for Multiple Outcomes
Successful negotiators recognize that there is not merely one outcome that best suits both parties. There are many different ways for you and the other side of the table to meet in the middle. No matter the negotiation, maintain an open-mind about different processes that can bring you together for a compromise. As simple as this may sound, too many negotiators get locked into their one ideal solution and do not let themselves stray from this thought process. The essence of a negotiation is that both parties come to a satisfactory conclusion, and this can only happen if both sides allow themselves to open up to other possibilities.
Listen Before You Speak
The first terms thrown out in a negotiation will be the extreme highs and lows, with the final numbers landing somewhere in the middle. Keeping this in the back of your mind; let the other side throw out the first offer and then use that information to help you make an educated counter offer. Generally speaking, you can understand a lot about what the other side values most by just paying attention to their first offer. The first person to lay down their cards naturally loses some leverage by having to show some of their hand. Listen and comprehend what they tell you and parlay this information into a quality counter offer, rather than blindly throwing out an offer first.
Cooler Heads Prevail
The entire negotiating process is as much about emotion as it is money. In the 1987 movie Wall Street, Gordon Gekko told Bud Fox to never get emotional about a stock. Of course that movie is a far cry from dealing with negotiating in real life, but some of it does hold true. You have to understand that negotiating can be a slow, painstaking process, but if you let emotions cloud your decision-making, then it will make your life much worse. Take a step back every now and then, and try to enjoy the process – the more rational you are, the better you will do.
Silence is Golden
Once you have made a counter offer, be quiet. This is a very hard point to get across because the negotiating process can be a stressful one. Everyone wants instant gratification, however this should not be the expectation after delivering a counter offer. Once this process is under way and your bid is out there, there is no need to say anything else – your silence will speak volumes. If you put out a bid, and quickly follow up with instigating questions – or worse yet, try to make your bid more favorable – your competition has the upper hand. This can be difficult, but if you have presented your position in a clear and concise manner, then it is time to play it cool and wait for an answer from the other side.
Don’t Ask, Don’t Get
This is something that rings true in all walks of life – if you fail to ask for something, how will you know if you can get it? Afraid that your bid is too low, your lease term is too short, or offering price is too high? Why not give it a shot anyway? Ensure that you are not insulting the person, but at the same time, you will not be able to achieve your ultimate goal of getting the best deal without at least offering it up. In summation, to gain something, you have to ask for it.
If you have ever been in a room with a car salesman, you know they love negotiating. They have tons of experience and are able to keep it cool. The same goes with brokers – they are the experts and typically have many years of experience. If you follow these rules, hopefully you will be able to see the enjoyable side of negotiating.