What's Your GiG?

“You can’t shake hands with a clenched fist.” Indira Ghandi

Ever “reason” with a nine year old who wants his own iPhone? A partner who has selective hearing? Seattle Public Utilities after there was a leak underground at your house? A bank that can’t find the title to your car? A friend who is mystified about getting fired? Yourself?

Call it what you like - reasoning with, persuading, influencing, nagging, haggling - it all comes down to negotiations. All encounters, whether personal or professional, whether dealing with a client, a colleague, a neighbor, a family member, or even people we don’t know like a banker, an insurance broker, a car salesperson or a flight attendant, ALL encounters improve when a good negotiator is present.

During this presentation you will learn practical tools to improve your skill as a negotiator. We’ll review the negotiation process and discuss a simple framework to keep in mind any time you encounter someone with whom you need to reach an agreement. We will also deep dive into the graveyard of all ineffective negotiations: focusing on the person and not the problem.

Some outcomes of the session include:

Gain more confidence negotiating

Identify your needs and wants and the needs and wants of others

Improve interactions in all of your relationships

Learn to better handle difficult situations, including hard bargainers, power and information imbalances, deadlines, and emotional situations

Understand your own style as a bargainer

Internalize new and practical tools for negotiation

Come prepared for an interactive and fun session. You might not be quite ready for a spot on the US /China Trade Commission, but that honey-do list, piece o’cake!

I will be presenting a discussion on Negotiations on June 18th at the Working Luncheon of the Kirkland Business Association.  For information, www.kirklandbusiness.org/webpage/18.