Various Negotiation Methods

Negotiating might sound simple, simply because everyone negotiates about something in their daily lives, but the process is much more complex and can mean all the difference between a successful negotiation and not coming to an agreement. Whether through strategies and tactics, conflicts and cultural concerns, or entrepreneurship, it is important to have a thorough understanding of how to effectively and efficiently come to a mutually beneficial agreement.


 In the Negotiation Strategies and Tactics video, entrepreneur Brian Tracy shares his knowledge and expertise in many key areas, including having interpersonal intelligence to communicate well with others and when to "play the game." From price, term, and condition, Tracy exclaims that "everything is negotiable!' Tracy also discusses how preparation in crucial and brings a high sense of confidence in resolving a situation. His "Win/Win or No Deal" tool offers such unique methods such as "collaboration rather than competition" and to be "creative rather than combative." Through the areas of expertise, knowledge, identification, rewarding, and the investment of time, money, and emotions, are all involved in using power to better the deal. One of the more defining statements in Tracy's video is that emotions can help or hurt you during a negotiation. Finally, he discusses the Harvard Negotiating Project, and the four main areas - people, interests, options, and criteria - which are also highlighted in Getting To Yes.

 Speaking of Getting To Yes, co-author William Ury discusses conflict and cultural concerns in a seminar video for Ted Talks. His theory titled "Look for the eighteenth camel" reflects how looking at situations with fresh eyes ultimately results in a mutual benefit for the parties involved. Ury also describes the "third side" method, detailing how there are always more than two sides to a negotiation. The third side consists of the surrounding people and their environment, which Ury refers to as "the Balcony." He summarizes his method by stating, "the secret to peace is the third side - and the third side is us."

 Finally, the Voluntary Life podcast highlights entrepreneurship and negotiation. One of the most valuable - and seemingly obvious - tidbits in the podcast is, when involved in the negotiation process, write everything down. The podcast also refers to the GTY book on several occasions, referencing the importance of having a BATNA and remaining aware of the other party's BATNA as well. In addition, objective criteria and finding fair standards when resolving issues is always best for results.

 The significance of negotiation and deal making is vital in business, especially as a future entrepreneur. My business plan is geared toward more than developing an average Book Publishing company. The purpose of the business is to establish a reputation of providing aspiring writers an avenue to develop and express their creativity. Before taking the course, I had a basic understanding of how necessary negotiating is to finding the best outcomes. However, this course provided me with a breakdown of all the tools and techniques required to become a successful and skilled negotiator.