Strategies for a Successful Negotiation

View PDF | Print View
by: successdestinybuilder2
Total views: 18
Word Count: 749
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2012 Time: 7:33 AM

Negotiation is a process which involves two parties mutually agreeing towards a possible settlement in the favour of both of them. It is an important and a very common tool to reach at a suitable conclusion over any long pertaining issue or problem. It is mainly practiced by certain governmental bodies, financial institutions, businesses etc. It is a complex and delicate process and requires a careful approach as otherwise its purpose will be lost. Usually the process of negotiation occurs under the close supervision of a third party who is known as a negotiator or a diplomat. He/she listens carefully and also understands the course of negotiation in order to control it in a proper way and then finally makes a decision that is beneficial for both the parties engaged.

There are several negotiation strategies followed by a negotiator to arrive at a mutual satisfaction. Generally people perception plays a great role as it is upon the feel or how one interprets the situation based on personality and outlook. Usually there are two ways of negotiation followed by people which are by hard and soft means. The former one involves forceful settlement of any prolonging issue and without thinking and caring for mutual benefit. The later one believes in following the path of peaceful approach and generally maintains patience through the negotiation until it reaches to a valuable decision. The later one is mostly followed by people and organizations as it add more sense to the process of negotiation.

Negotiation strategies can be classified into several individual strategies and works collectively towards a common goal or objective. One of the most popular negotiation strategy followed is the positive bargaining strategy where there is taking and giving up of different positions. Still it is considered not to be performing up to the mark and usually ends in a non peaceful situation. Further the negotiator engaged here is dedicated to either of the parties and thus his duties are not meant for the mutual satisfaction. In this respect the most common problem being faced is inability to separate the differences in between people and thereby resulting in failure of negotiation objective. Thus for a successful negotiation to take place every negotiator must laid down certain negotiation strategies which are as follows:

• Separating people from the corresponding issue or the problem in question. Every negotiator while dealing with any case must separate the problems related to people which are emotion, communication and most importantly the perception.

• Perception about anything should be right and unbiased and one should not derive any conclusion out of the other’s side benefit from individual loss.

• Emotion is a sensitive parameter which mainly results in failure of negotiation process. Thus in a negotiation process a negotiator must listen till the end quietly and with patience without responding to emotional attacks.

• Communication is a vital parameter for a successful negotiation and in this respect listening should be done properly in order to clearly understand the perception of the parties about any issue and thereby can make decisions effectively.

• Rather than deciding of any solution it is better to engage in inventing a solution that suits the needs of both the parties entered into the negotiation process.

About the Author

Negotiation strategies can be classified into several individual strategies and works collectively towards a common goal or objective. One of the most popular negotiation strategy followed is the positive bargaining strategy where there is taking and giving up of different positions. successdestinybuilder.com