Simplify Negotiations with Effective Communication

By John Patrick Dolan
November 2005

Whether you are selling call center services or widgets, to negotiate effectively you must be able to communicate effectively.  Unfortunately, most salespeople and businesspeople don't realize the importance of solid communication skills to the negotiation process.  As a result, they lose sales or don't get the best possible deal.

However, as a salesperson, you are not doomed to the mixed messages and meanings characteristic of poor communication skills.  With a conscious effort, all business and sales professionals can overcome the communication barriers that block understanding in negotiation.  With a little extra effort, you can improve the delivery of your message to your counterparts and work together toward a mutually beneficial agreement.

Use the following six rules for effective communication to connect with others at the negotiating table and in all forms of communication:

Rule 1: Organize Your Thoughts? Throughout the negotiation process, always allow yourself time to organize your thoughts to avoid conveying the wrong message or confusing the issues.  Before you start the negotiation process, and even after it starts, take notes and plan what you're going to say.

To help you express your thoughts clearly when the negotiations begin, outline in advance the main points you want to cover.  Planning what you're going to say is the most effective way to avoid sending mixed messages, but don't stop there.  As the negotiations commence, continue to take notes and plan your responses as you go through the entire process.  And remember, no law exists that says every statement must be met with a response within five seconds.  Take your time.  In fact, silence can be one of your most powerful negotiating tools.

Stop talking whenever you feel like you need to reorganize yourself and before you respond to anything that's said.  Make sure everything you say reflects the true meaning of your thoughts.  This tactic not only helps you organize what you're going to say, but it also helps you digest what your counterpart proposes.

Rule 2: Don't Think About It; Think Through It  Thinking about something leads to confusion, but thinking through something leads to clarity.  The difference between these two processes is a crucial distinction in communication.  Many times, people approach negotiations with a mindset of, "Tell it like it is, then let the chips fall where they may."  But by processing an idea through to its logical conclusion, you can evaluate the possible responses you may get from the other side.

For example, if you make an offer and say, "Take it or leave it," what kind of response would that produce?  The other party may say, "Okay, we'll take it."  They could say, "Thanks, but no thanks."  They could say, "We won't take it, but here's what we will accept."  Or they might say, "No one talks to us that way!" and walk out of the room.

A range of possibilities exists, and this tactic requires careful reading of the other person's reactions.  But if you feel from your experiences with the person that they will either accept your offer or your counteroffer, it makes sense to speculate and take the chance.  So give some thought to your counterpart's possible reactions to your points before you actually make them.

Rule 3: Recognize that Actions Speak Louder than Words: Experts say that seventy-five percent of communication is nonverbal.  This means that the messages negotiators convey have more to do with their looks, their actions, and the way they say things, rather than with the actual words they say.

The best negotiators practice saying and doing things in ways that send precisely the message they want to send.  The bottom line is that the better you become at using nonverbal communication and reading the nonverbal messages others send, the more effective you can be as a negotiator.  Realize that everything you do at the bargaining table is part of the communication and negotiation process.  So make sure you don't send the wrong messages by doing something that conflicts with what you want to say.

Rule 4: Be Concise: Most people tune out a majority of what they hear, so you should always be concise and get right to your point.  Say what you mean in as few words as possible, without being blunt.  If you drone on, people will stop listening to you.  To ensure your message reaches your counterpart, oversimplify your message and then elaborate as they ask questions.  Repeat your main point several times to emphasize what's most important.

To boost your negotiating power even more, practice saying everything clearly and concisely, then repeat your key points to yourself again and again.  One main problem with negotiation occurs when your counterpart is too wrapped up in what they want to say, that they don't pay attention to what you say.  This is why it is so important to organize your thoughts and say your main points in a concise, compelling way.

Rule 5: Always Translate Your Message into Benefits for the Other Party: People always listen more carefully when they believe some benefit exists in your message for them.  In negotiations, focus on that benefit, even when the underlying purpose of the message is in your favor.  As a salesperson, you should always highlight the value of your service, rather than the cost.  Always talk in terms of what benefits the other party receives as a result of the negotiation terms.

Rule 6: Listen Carefully to the Other Party: If you want to reach a mutually beneficial agreement, you must make sure your messages are heard and understood.  But don't be so caught up in your own message that you don't hear or understand what the other party needs to reach an agreement.  Use the following tips for listening more effectively: 

• Open your mind and be receptive to the other party's message.

• Make a commitment to listen and follow through with this commitment as soon as they start to talk.

• Listen for feelings, as well as facts, and consider the other party's concerns.

• Eliminate distractions.  Close your door, turn of the radio, and tune in to the other person.

• Respond to the other party with questions that stimulate conversation and clarify your understanding of his or her message.

• Take notes on the important points the other party makes, and keep these points in mind as you formulate your responses.

As you improve your listening skills, you increase your negotiating effectiveness by collecting more information to use in your search for solutions.

Communication is the Key to Effective Negotiation: Communication is a two-way street that requires everyone involved to exchange messages.  To negotiate more effectively, you must relate to the other party with strong communication skills.  By using these six rules for effective communications, you can overcome barriers, reach a higher level of satisfaction every time you negotiate, and win more sales in the process.

John Patrick Dolan is a convention presenter, member of the National Speakers Association Speakers Hall of Fame, and author of the best selling book "Negotiate Like the Pros."  His offices can be reached at 888-830-2620 or by email at negotiatelikethepros.jpd@gte.net.  Visit his Website www.negotiatelikethepros.com for preview video and complete booking information.

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