Negotiation Columns & Blogs
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Hold Out: Timing is Critical When Selling Companies
They offered him $15 million for his software company, and he said “No.” So they offered him $25 million, and he said “No” again. Finally, they asked him what it would take. “My board will not accept anything less than 3 million shares (worth about $45 million),” he...
How to Use Imposed Deadlines to Your Advantage
“If we only had a little more time, I’m sure we could have reached a deal. We were so close.” I can’t tell you how many times I have heard a variation of this “we were so close” statement. Every time, the speaker sounds sincere. Almost every time, they’re wrong. Why?...
What to do when time and knowledge is short
“What should I do if I don’t have nearly the same level of factual knowledge as my counterpart – and I just don’t have the time to learn it as it’s super complicated and I have a short deadline in which to respond?” Here’s what I recommend. 1. ...
Learning How to ‘DEAL’ With Threats in the Workplace
“Go ahead, make my day,” said Clint Eastwood as inspector “Dirty” Harry Callahan in the movie “Sudden Impact.” This threat, backed up with a large gun and delivered to a “punk” holding a hostage, was very effective -- as intended. But what about less violent threats,...
Determine Whether True ‘Principles’ Are Really Involved
“A principle is involved,” he said, “and that’s why we’re taking a hard line. The principle is just too important to undermine. As a result, we will not concede on that issue.” This “principle is involved” negotiation move can be one of the most frustrating to...
Sometimes ‘principles’ aren’t set in stone
How many times have you heard in a negotiation “but it’s the principle involved”? Countless times, I’m sure. But is it really? Or is it just a subterfuge for “I don’t want to move and calling it a principle is a convenient and relatively painless way to avoid doing...
‘Split the Difference’ Can Translate as ‘Lose the Edge’
“Let’s just split the difference,” he suggested after we had negotiated all day over my client’s lawsuit. Our last offer? $320,000. His last? $300,000. Sounds fair, right? Almost everyone has used this closing technique when negotiations drag on. After all, splitting...
Learn How To Say ‘No’ And Still Preserve Relationships
Our son turned 2 recently, and he seems to have a newfound desire to tell us “no.” He is increasingly testing his limits and boundaries, which often involves him saying “no” to us, and vice versa. How he communicates “no” and how we respond represents a critical stage...
Look for Realistic Alternatives to Any First Offering
I was driving south on the Squaw Peak around 9:30 a.m. when the engine missed. Despite my mechanical ignorance, I knew something was wrong. My only question – whether I could nurse it to the shop without destroying the engine. I gambled, and five minutes later drove...
Market Value May Not Matter if Product, Service is Unique
“This is a fair and reasonable price,” my real estate agent told the potential buyer’s agent. “Just look at its market value based on the comparable houses sold in this neighborhood.” One of the most effective moves in many negotiations occurs when parties invoke...
Consider These Factors Before Making The First Offer
Should you make the first offer, or get your counterpart to take the first step? In many negotiations, this can be the most critical strategic decision you make. Early in my career, I heard that you should never make the first offer. Frankly, this is unrealistic....
Watch Out when Negotiating with Someone Playing Dumb
“How can I negotiate with someone who doesn’t really understand how the negotiation process works? And so they say and do things that don’t make any sense, or are so reluctant to open up and explore possible mutual interests that we all may end up losing out on a...
Offer and Concession Strategies: How Much to Budge
When it comes to negotiations, I’m often asked: “How much should we move in a negotiation after we open? And how much should we move later, and when and how? I usually respond with the following story. John had just filed for divorce and was representing himself in...
Offer/Concession Strategy Must Reflect Ultimate Goal
I bought my first car in 1987. It was the shortest negotiation in my life. My dad offered to sell me his 1981 Datsun 280ZX for its “Blue Book” value, $5,500. I said, “OK.” End of negotiation. “Wait a second,” some of you might say. “Didn’t you once write that first...
Nuances Of Negotiations Should Include Reciprocity, Concessions
We needed some extra tile to fully renovate the kitchen in our new vacation home, so we asked the seller about it, and he offered to sell it for around $800. After doing some Internet research and asking the opinion of a flooring shop owner, I told the seller a...
Free Negotiation Training:
Learn Latz's 5 Golden Rules of Negotiation.
We'll send you a new video for each rule and you'll get Marty Latz's monthly column with great negotiation tips. We will not share your info. (privacy policy).
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