Negotiating Your Way to Happiness: Part 4
Our list continues with nine more effective methods for closing a deal. Whether it’s in the workplace, your home, or other situation, negotiating skills can help keep everyone satisfied. Follow up solid negotiations with a strong close, and chances are you’ll achieve your goals. (Don’t miss the first eight closing tips in Closing the Deal: Negotiating Your Way to Happiness Part 3.)
9. Sometimes, you have to give something to get something.
Making reasonable compromises fosters a team atmosphere, helping both sides achieve their goal. (Guys: for every action film to which you’ve dragged your girl, surely you can put up with a “chick-flick” on occasion.)
10. Decide the American way: Vote.
It doesn’t necessarily guarantee the right answer, but it’s accepted as “Truth, Justice, and the American Way.” (This solves the “where to go for dinner with friends” dilemma every time!)
11. Take a walk down memory lane.
Calling on past solutions often works to resolve present difficulties.
12. Call for help!
Sometimes another viewpoint is all that’s needed to present your position to the other side. (Girls: your sister is probably not the best person to call if you’re negotiating with your spouse.)
13. Solve your problems through arbitration.
Bring in a neutral party to sort out the pros and cons of the issues. This is particularly helpful when there are multiple parties involved.
14. Break an impasse with an expert’s help.
Ask an expert (industry, social, etc. depending on your situation) to present pertinent information to both sides in an effort to arrive at a solution (Redecorating? Call HGTV! Heck, they might even do it for you.)
15. Always keep your word.
Be sure you’re willing to stand by your promise or trust will be broken, and you’ll destroy your credibility for next time.
16. It helps to put it in writing.
Putting your agreement in writing prevents one or both parties from forgetting, or misinterpreting the terms.
17. Shake on it.
Using a symbolic gesture to wrap up a deal gives it a note of finality. This can be anything from a handshake to a kiss (don’t try this at work!).
Want more negotiation tips? Go back to RK Auto Group Closing the Deal Part 3.
Don’t miss the first set of articles in this RK Auto Group series: Negotiate Your Way to Happiness.
© 2006 RK Auto Group
Tom Kline is Controller of RKAutoGroup.net (RK Buick, RK Chevrolet, RK Subaru, RK Scion and RK Toyota).
During his 15-year tenure Kline has worked in the Sales Department of RK Auto Group, Parts, Service and Body Shop, Leasing, Collections, and Management Information Services.
RK Auto Group, located in Southeast Virginia, has been recognized as one of the top 100 Chevrolet dealerships in the nation. Founded in 1964, this award-winning dealership sells approximately 9,000 vehicles per year.
RK Chevrolet is the recipient of Chevrolet Motor Division’s coveted Service Supremacy Award four years in a row. This is an award which less than 8% of the nation’s Chevrolet dealers have won. In 1998, RK received the prestigious “Genuine Leaders Award” for excellence in sales, service, and customer satisfaction.
