Seven Steps to Powerful Negotiations in English

“Negotiation is the at the heart of human interaction” Stuart Diamond claims in his book Getting More.

Every time we interact with others, we are negotiating with them verbally or non-verbally, consciously or non-consciously. Yet, when we are thinking of the word “negotiation” we associate it with stress, complicated discussions, meetings that last more than we wished.

 Negotiating is part of human nature. We all do this every day, without realising it. We negotiate with family or friends, but we also negotiate in business, an undeniable fact. 

 For most of my clients negotiating in English is an added element of frustration.

Their concerns are valid:

–How can they sound correct and professional in English?

-How can they express their thoughts clearly to the other part?

-How can they avoid miscommunication and misunderstandings as non-native English speakers?

-What is the appropriate vocabulary and expressions to use?

-How can they remain focused and confident with their English during their meetings?

 

Are you a good dancer?

How well do you follow all the necessary steps for successful negotiation in English? Are you aware of how the other side sees you when you are negotiating? Do you prepare only for what you want to say, and you follow your agenda to the letter? Negotiating is an elegant dance between you and the other part; it involves more than excellent business skills and expertise.

 As an English language coach, I have helped many professionals who want to negotiate in English but don’t feel confident with their language skills and worry if they don’t look or sound professional enough to the other side.

There are many books written on negotiations in English out there, however reading books is time-consuming, each client has different needs and areas to improve and a tight agenda to follow.
My mission is to provide professionals with practical tips that work and help them claim their confidence.

 Read on to discover my seven tips for powerful negotiations in English to help you with getting what you want and keeping everyone happy when negotiating.

#1 Positive mindset

Negotiations are like a business meeting. For that meeting to be successful, you need to start on a positive. Make sure you use positive language, so the other side across you feels relaxed, can trust you and listen to what you have to say.

Mindful reminder: When you are negotiating, it is essential that both sides need to make clear to the other person what they want to achieve on that day. State the reasons you are there for them and make your mission to understand what the other side wants to achieve. Use clear, simple language to ask what do they want and how can you help them.

 

#2 Deal with confrontation

Confrontation and negotiation, are a combination you want to avoid. From the discussions I have had with my clients and the stories I have heard, confrontation leads to non-negotiation. What do you do when you sense that the other side is not sharing the truth, or they are not sharing all the essential facts with you? 

Mindful reminder: Use mindful language to signal the other side how you experience the negotiation so far.

 “I trust you, but I sense some holding back on this issue.” By saying this, you give space to the other side clarify and unclarified points and share with your facts with you that are vital for the negotiation process to go on.

 

#3 Setting boundaries

What happens when your negotiations enter the disagreement phase? What you can do is to set boundaries. First, state why you disagree with them and then ask the other side to clarify why they disagree with you on any specific points/terms.

 Mindful reminder: Here are some useful expressions you can use to set boundaries and communicate your disagreement.

“I’m afraid, I cannot do that today” or “we are not willing to offer you…” or “Unfortunately, we cannot do this for you”. 

Finally, don’t forget to ask the other side why they disagree with you so that you can understand the reasons behind the disagreement, and you can move on with your negotiation.

#4 Ask the right questions

To reach an agreement during a negotiation, you have to be aware of what the other side wants precisely. Effective questioning is crucial during your talks. Go ahead and ask them what do they really want: “What do you have in mind on that particular matter?” The answer will help you adjust your argument and offer a useful solution to the other side.

Mindful reminder: Ask the right questions and actively listen to what the other side has to say. Keep your inquiries short and to the point, being always polite.

#5 Moving on after disagreements

When things do not work during a negotiation, and you sense that you and the other side are struggling. You can reset things by taking a pause and introducing new ideas; new ideas can help both parties move forward with the negotiations. How can you achieve this? Reformulating your demands into new demands based on how things are unfolding. There’s no point at remaining fixed on initial negotiation demands when the other side is not willing to move forward. 

Mindful reminder: Stay humble, use mindful language: “It wasn’t my intention to offend you. Can we go over this point again? I’d like to hear more”. Cultivate trust, above all in any language.

State the obvious as well as the limitations of a negotiation. You are there to help the other side understand you and vice-versa.

#6 Understanding the standards

Negotiations include a series of standards. You must have a good understanding of the other side’s standards, e.g. policies, expectations, decision-making policies, etc. Check you understand the frame of the plan before you reach a final agreement. At the same time, you are obliged to clarify your standards as well. 

Mindful reminder: Use clear and simple questions like: “What are your policies on…?”, “What do you expect on….. and…..point?” 

#7 Before closing a successful conversation

If you followed the previous steps, you have probably reached the final stage of your talk, congratulations! Before singing the first draft, make sure you have summarised and outlined the next steps. Outline the steps both sides need to take, summarise all the points you have agreed on.

Mindful reminder: Mention any points that are left to be taken at a later stage before the official signing of the agreement. Summarising creates clarity on the expectations as well as the limitations present for both sides. Outlining is the path to creating solutions during the negotiation process and alleviating negativity.

Negotiating is an essential part of a business in any language. Whether it is negotiating with clients, your team or your boss, skilled negotiators know it is incremental to take small steps with the other side towards a mutual goal. Using English with confidence allows you to feel positive and emit trust in the room where you create the conditions to be fully heard from the other person across the room.

How can you achieve this result? I have developed a powerful 1-1 online coaching programme targeting all the areas you need to focus on. It is super-tailored, you get to work on your voice and pronunciation, your vocabulary. You get coached on how to speak with ease and precision, how to lead meetings or any other particular linguistic challenges that hold you back from feeling super confident with English.
If you are serious in elevating your English negotiation skills, book your free clarity call with me- no strings attached- and let’s discuss your language goals, your unique action plan and how to get where you want to be in a short matter of time.