Planning negotiations

Effective planning is crucial to meeting negotiation objectives. If the parties are to reach a stable agreement, specific events must take place before the parties ever come to the table.

1. Parties must frame the problem, and recognize that they have a common problem that they share an interest in solving. The way in which parties define the problem can shape the rest of the planning process.

2. In the early stages of framing, negotiators must also determine their goals, anticipate what they want to achieve, and prepare for the negotiation process. The combined list of issues and priorities from each side determines the negotiation agenda.

3. After assembling issues on an agenda, the negotiators must prioritize their goals and evaluate the possible tradeoffs among them. Work out what you can concede. Find something in the deal that for you will not be important but for your counterpart may be of significance. This will be like gold to you! A 'sweetener' can be what clinches the bargain in your favour. Save this item for the final offer you make.

4. Know yourself. Know your own weaknesses. If you are a more gentle personality your natural aversion to conflict may toss you into concessions that aren't necessary! If this is you, learn about yourself and take counter action. If you are overly stubborn and never give way to minor points, know this about yourself. Your stubbornness, holding out for 100% your own way, may cause you to lose a really great deal!

5. Negotiators should also be aware of the underlying interests and goals of the other side. Planning involves assessing the other party's priorities and interests and trying to get a better idea of what that party is likely to want. Negotiators should gather background information about the other party's current needs, resources, and interests. Negotiators should be aware of the other party's negotiation style, reputation, and the strategy and tactics they commonly use. Don’t forget the cultural peculiarities of the other side!

6. Planning for negotiation also involves the development of supporting arguments. Negotiators must be able to present supporting facts and arguments, anticipate how the other side will respond to these arguments, and respond to the other party's claims with counter-arguments.

7. Work out different scenarios ahead of time. Being caught by surprise will NOT strengthen your position! Think through all the different possibilities which may eventuate and plan for each and every one of them. It is useful to brainstorm and write down on a piece of paper what could possibly happen. For example, if they said, "XYZ" - I would respond with, "ABC". This way you can be prepared for just about anything that may happen.

8. Have an exit strategy. If everything goes against you, you will be saved by your contingency planning! If you don't feel in control, stop talking. Immediately!!! Make sure you are listening to the other person. If you are doing most of the talking the chances are you are doing most of the conceding. Offer to break the meeting and reconvene at another time when you have been able to consider what has already been put forward.

9. Set up the negotiation meeting itself, if this is appropriate. If you can choose the time and the place, you can add further control over the tone of the meeting.

10. Invite the other party to the negotiation meeting.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14