The Basics of Negotiation

In this article we will look at two different types of negotiation. We’ll consider the three phases of very negotiation and the skills needed to become an effective negotiator.

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Types of Negotiations

The two basic types of negotiations require different approaches.

• Integrative negotiations are based on cooperation. Both parties believe they can walk away with something they want without giving up something important. The dominant approach in integrative negotiations is problem solving. Integrative negotiations involve:
• Multiple issues. This allows each party to make concessions on less important issues in return for concessions from the other party on more important issues.
• Information sharing. This is an essential part of problem solving.
• Bridge building. The success of integrative negotiations depends on a spirit of trust and cooperation.
• Distributive negotiations involve a fixed pie. There is only so much to go around and each party wants as big a slice as possible. An example of a distributive negotiation is haggling over the price of a car with a car salesman. In this type of negotiation, the parties are less interested in forming a relationship or creating a positive impression. Distributive relationships involve:
• Keeping information confidential. For example, you don’t want a car salesman to know how badly you need a new car or how much you are willing to pay.
• Trying to extract information from the other party. In a negotiation, knowledge truly is power. The more you know about the other party’s situation, the stronger your bargaining position is.
• Letting the other party make the first offer. It might be just what you were planning to offer yourself!

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The Three Phases

The three phases of a negotiation are:

• Exchanging Information
• Bargaining
• Closing

These phases describe the negotiation process itself. Before the process begins, both parties need to prepare for the negotiation. This involves establishing their bargaining position by defining their BATNA, WATNA, and WAP (see Module Three). It also involves gathering information about the issues to be addressed in the negotiation. After the negotiation, both parties should work to restore relationships that may have been frayed by the negotiation process. It is essential to pay attention to all the phases of negotiation. Without the first phase, the exchange of information, and the establishment of bargaining positions, the second phase cannot happen in any meaningful sense because no one knows where they stand. It sets a scene for demands to be manageable and reasonable. Negotiations are, after all, about the art of the possible. Without the third phase, anything that has been decided during phase two cannot be formalized and will not take hold - leading to the necessity for further negotiation or an absolute breakdown in a relationship.

Also read how to negotiate under pressure.

Skills for Successful Negotiating

Key skills include:

• Effective speaking
• Effective listening
• A sense of humor
• A positive attitude
• Respect
• Self-confidence
• Emotional intelligence
• Persistence
• Patience
• Creativity

Without the above factors, negotiations will be difficult if not impossible. The necessity for negotiation arises because neither party will be able to get everything they want. Knowing that there must be concessions, each party in the negotiation is required to adopt an attitude of understanding that they must get the best deal possible in a way which is acceptable to the other party. The importance of effective speaking and listening is clear; it is necessary to establish what you are looking for and what you are prepared to accept, while understanding what the other parties will be happy with.

A sense of humor and a positive attitude are essential because they allow for a sense of give and take. Negotiations can become fraught, and having the ability to see the other side’s point of view while being sanguine with regard to what you can achieve will be essential. Of course you will want as much as you can get - but the other side needs to achieve what they can, too. Seriously uneven negotiations will simply lead to further problems along the line. An atmosphere of respect is essential. If you do not make concessions while demanding them from your counterpart, it makes for a negotiation which will end in dissatisfaction.

However important a sense of understanding for your “opponent” may be, it is also necessary to have the confidence to not settle for less than you feel is fair. Good negotiators understand the importance of balance. Yes, you will have to make concessions, but the point of making concessions is to secure what you can get - so you need to pay attention to your bottom line and ensure you are not beaten down to a minimum. Knowing what is realistic, and ensuring that you can get the best deal, relies on being ready to insist upon something that the other side may not be willing to give initially. Emotional intelligence, persistence, patience, and creativity can all play a part here.

Also read Preparing for Negotiation