Negotiation Skills

Due to the high number of exercises in this course, it requires a minimum of four delegates and two trainers.

This two day course is designed for people who want to achieve better outcomes from their negotiations with customers, suppliers and colleagues. It teaches the skills and tactics used by effective negotiators and builds the confidence needed to succeed.

Delegates learn the different negotiating styles and how to maximise their personal power while protecting important relationships. The course is highly participative with a combination of lecture, discussion, coaching and exercises.

• What is my personal negotiating style?

          - understanding your individual style and its impact in negotiations

•  Competitive or cooperative?         

           - knowing the right approach to adopt

•  The need for creativity and flexibility       

           - seeking alternatives and solving problems

• Expectation management

          - how to manage the pre-negotiation and opening stages

• Non-verbal communication

          - using body language to reinforce what we say

•  The importance of preparation 

           - what you need to do before the negotiation commences

•    Shifting the balance of power 

            - identifying the strengths and weaknesses of both parties

•  Goals and objectives 

            - what does good look like and what is unacceptable?

• Looking beyond demands to interests and concerns

            - find out what lies behind demands and what really matters to the other party

• Identifying variables

            - what can we conceed at the lowest cost to us and what do we want to get in return? 

• Making and justifying proposals

             - positioning and demonstrating value in their terms

•  How to respond to proposals

             - explaining why it's unacceptable and making counter proposals 

• Use of questions

             -  using conditional questions to test solutions without making firm commitments

• The bargaining process

             -  trading concessions to achieve win/win outcomes

• Dealing with deadlock

              - tools to help you navigate around impasses 

• Responding to price challenges

              - how to defend your position

• Securing the deal 

               - summarising and closing to avoid costly misunderstandings