Negotiate Your Way to Happiness: Part 4
By Tom Kline, Controller RK Auto Group (RK Buick, RK Chevrolet, RK Subaru, RK Scion, RK Toyota)
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 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 Negotiate Your Way to Happiness: Part 3.
Don’t miss the first set of articles in this RK Auto Group series: Negotiate Your Way to Happiness.
Tom Kline is Controller of RK Auto Group (RK Buick, RK Chevrolet, RK Subaru, RK Scion, and RK Toyota). 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 400 of the nation's 5,000 Chevrolet dealers have won. RK Auto Group has been included in the Ward’s Auto list of top 500 U.S. car dealers, and has received the prestigious "Genuine Leaders Award" for excellence in sales, service, and customer satisfaction. The dedication of each employee at RK Chevrolet, RK Buick, RK Subaru, RK Scion and RK Toyota made these awards possible.
