Dear Reader,
Have you ever felt that you got a raw deal
from a discussion or negotiation? Have you cringed when someone tries to
negotiate with you on something that is important to you? Do you avoid asking
for a better deal, upgrade, discount etc.? Do you get upset when someone tries
to lowball you by offering a ridiculously low price compared to your offer
price? This mail is for you!
Few months back a dear friend Tarun recommended a
book on negotiation. I had an intent to improve my negotiation skills. I wanted
to do it without compromising my values and without manipulating.
This book is an amazing read for all the
above. “Never
Split the difference: Negotiating as if
your life depended on it” by Chris Voss. I heard it using audible. This
link will take you to the audible
option
I was going on a vacation and heard the book
on the way. The narrator does it in style, while keeping you gripped with one
story after another, interspersed with insights. At so many places, I could
recall my life, where I took the easy way out and got disengaged and reconciled
with a poor choice.
This book has lot of practical tips and
strategies that will allow you to get better deals in life. It even includes
negotiating with kids on sleep time!
Here is a small tip I learnt and used
successfully in several situations. Suppose someone goes silent on you and is
not replying to your message / email / request despite multiple follow ups.
Here is one line that will get you an answer! And probably explaining the
reason for silence.
“Dear (name). Have you given up on
my request for (fill your exact request here)? “
If you get a message of this kind from me,
you know I learnt it from this book!! Try it and see the magic.
Happy
negotiating.
