Buyers and sellers alike need to sharpen their negotiating skills.

Each needs a set of strategies to deal with competition and competitive pricing in today's marketplace.Sales people fall into the trap of the buyer telling them they will have to match their competitor's price in order to get the business. Moreover, buyers need to ensure that they are negotiating the most competitive price at the quality and service their company demands.

What is Negotiation? Negotiation occurs when someone else has what you want
and you are prepared to bargain for it - and vice versa.

Two basic skills for negotiators are:

Influence
necessity, desire, competition and time
consider where the balance of influence lies
misuse of influence causes resistance
Information
incorrect information is worse than no information at all
what do you need to know about the other side that will be useful?
what is the best way of finding out?
act like a detective to discover information
Credibility
make yourself believable
don't take your own credibility for granted

Judgement
The ability to strike a balance between gaining advantages and reaching compromises
- patience keep things in perspective
What Makes a Good Negotiator?
Negotiation is one of the most difficult tasks a person faces.
It requires a number of qualities
not usually found in business. Negotiation requires good business
judgement and an understanding of human nature.

1. Stable people, able to negotiate with him or her self and see the funny side.
Does not have a need to be liked.
2. A willingness to plan, know the product, the rules and the alternatives
Probe and check information
3. Good business judgement.
4. Be able to tolerate conflict and ambiguity
5. Commit to high goals and take risks to achieve these goals
6. Have patience
7. Get involved on a personal and business level
8. Have integrity
9. Be willing to listen with an open-mind
10. Be able to see the hidden personal issue