‘Negotiating’ is a term used a great deal nowadays, in newspapers, on television and on radio. It often seems to imply that only large companies or whole countries are involved, not individuals. However, we all frequently have to negotiate, even though we may not realise it.
In fact, all human interactions are characterised by some sort of negotiation between or among people trying to give to and take from one another. This process of exchange is continual and often goes unnoticed. Take time for a moment to consider why you occupy the position that you now do. How much negotiation did it take - at home, at school, at work, elsewhere - to enable your occupation of this position? Negotiating may be thought of as a process of bargaining to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
Good negotiating skills are essential to the smooth running of your business. You need to be able to negotiate with many different types of people in many different business situations - whether you are negotiating a loan from your bank manager or the next pay rise with a union or staff representative. The skills, once learned, will stand you in good stead.
It may help your negotiations if you understand the attributes of a good negotiator. Being good doesn’t necessarily mean that you always come out on top in a negotiation - it means that you reach a conclusion that is satisfactory for your business. This might mean proceeding with a specific course of action or it may mean not proceeding because the terms are unacceptable.