What's your negotiation style?

A friend – They need to know we're in this together! I'm not trying to screw them over – I just want to find an outcome that works for us both.

A collaborator – During our negotiation, we'll work hand in hand to come up with an innovative solution. This is an opportunity to create something new!

A threat – I don't want them thinking they can get the best of me. When I make an offer, that's the end of the story. I NEVER take less than what I'm worth.

No impression – Honestly, I don't want to negotiate. My best case scenario is carrying out the whole interaction through email... or postponing it indefinitely.

I respectfully remind them that we agreed the meeting would be 1:1. I can't work with companies that don't keep their words.

I don't call them out, but I show up with three of my best negotiators in tow. 

I pull together a team of my top-performing employees and bring every one of 'em to the negotiation. Time for this supplier to get a taste of their own medicine.

Their tactics don't intimidate me – I stay true to our initial agreement and show up by myself. If they think that makes me easier to push around, they're in for a surprise!

I respond by requesting that we make a joint team beforehand. This negotiation ISN'T a confrontation...

I tell them their offer is unacceptable. I want the raise WITH vacation time, and if they can't give that to me, I'm willing to walk.

I make a counteroffer 👉 10% raise but more vacation time... Who says you can't have it all?

I ask them about the reasoning behind their offer. If I understand their rational, maybe we can come up with a more balanced raise with vacation time.

I accept their offer without negotiating for more time off. I don't want to risk losing the raise, and negotiating gives me headaches.

I tell them to cancel their other appointment... If this negotiation is important to them, it shouldn't be a problem.

I ask them if they're willing to push back their appointment by a half hour, so we can wrap this up without rushing.

I recommend that we adjourn the meeting and reconvene in a week or two. This'll give us time to think our deal through before finalizing anything.

I let them cut to the chase. They're a busy company, and I don't want to take up more of their time than necessary. After all, it's their decision...

15K – It's the absolute highest I can go. I'm willing to pay more if it means NOT negotiating.

12-15K – I aim for mid-budget. If they reject my offer, I can always go a bit higher.

10-12K – Let's start from the bottom! Maybe they'll come back with a low counteroffer. 

Under 10K – I'm looking to save serious $ on this contract... Maybe they're just aiming too high.

I don't make a bid but ask if there's anything we can do to bring the price down. Maybe trading services?

Excited – The other party and I have come up with a creative solution to our problem...

Anxious – Ugh, I don't know if I asked for enough. I really hope they didn't take advantage of me...

Fired up – Woot woot! I just got everything I wanted. Another win for yours truly ✨🥳 

Content – The other party and I came to a reasonable agreement. 

I tell the ideal car's dealer about the other model's pricing, and ask if they can match it – it's worth a shot.

I don't bring up the other model while talking with the ideal car's dealer... It's just not relevant.

I tell the ideal car's dealer about the other model, but I mention that it's a few years older...

I offer 4K for the ideal car, and say that's as high as I can possibly go.

I ask the ideal car's dealer them if I can offer them a testimonial in exchange for a discounted rate.