Get A Head Start In Negotiations

If you want to start negotiations in a winning position, then you need to prepare like a tiger. That means you must pay attention to 7 crucial areas.

1. Check Whether You’re In A Negotiating Situation. A negotiating situation exists when you are in any communication or problem-solving situation with others that can work out to your advantage. If there is no advantage to you, then don’t negotiate; you’ll only lose. As Sun Tzu, the author of “The Art of War”, said hundreds of years ago, “Engage only when it is in the interests of the state; cease when it is to its detriment. Do not move unless there are advantages to be won.”

2. Clarify Your Aims. Your overriding aim in any negotiation is to achieve the objectives you and your constituents have set. There are other aims, such as getting a good deal and improving your relationship with the other side. But getting what you want is tops. Always keep this aim firmly in your sights and don’t stop until you get it.

3. Gather Information. Once you know you’re in a negotiating situation, you need to gather information about the other side’s offer and use it to refine your own. Many negotiations come unstuck simply because one side or the other doesn’t listen, or check, or take the time to clarify exactly what the other side are offering, or indeed what they themselves are offering. This means that throughout a negotiation you should do tons of listening, clarifying and checking. And when it comes your turn to put over your case, you should use every skill you can muster to make sure they understand.

4. Negotiate With Your Own Side. It is rare to go into a negotiation only representing yourself. Usually you negotiate as a representative of others, your constituents. Part of your preparation for negotiations has to be spent getting the best mandate from your constituents. Aim to get the support you need; the trust you need; the resources you need; the understanding you need; and the freedom you need.

5. Get A BATNA. A BATNA is your Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement and is the only certain way to be successful in negotiations. By preparing for negotiations with one party by sounding out an alternative deal with another party, you get walkaway power. It means that, even if the alternative isn’t quite what you want, you are still prepared to go there, if need be.

6. Prepare The Setting. There are five questions to ask yourself when preparing the setting for a negotiation. They are: Who? (ie who is to take part and do what?); Where? (ie our place or theirs?); When? (ie what is the time scale?); Why? (ie what are we negotiating about?); and How? (ie how are we to present our case?).

7. Prepare Yourself Mentally. The right attitude towards negotiations is the principal difference between successful and unsuccessful negotiators. Getting into the right frame of mind before you begin should be part of your preparation plan.

* aim to be tough, business-like, alert and unyielding

* don’t feel you owe them anything – don’t be a bowl-beggar

* don’t put yourself above or below them

* stay relaxed and unhurried

* don’t reveal your feelings at any point.

There is no guarantee that good preparation will lead to success in negotiations. But the chances are that poor preparation will lead to failure. Don’t take that risk. Pull out all the stops to get a head start and you won’t regret it.

Start a Business Online With $100 Or Less

The development of business through internet media has become more advanced. Internet business continues to grow. More and more people are shopping via the internet. Of course much easier to find what you will buy over the internet, rather than having to leave the house. You just browse for a while, if you have found your goods and the price is right, you can order it. Then, the product will be sent to your home.

The future of online business is very promising. Online market is growing so great, but the problem is you are not the only one who realizes this market. There are already millions of people who started it, even before you know it. Competition in this market is so tight. Competition is more competitive because of the cheapness to start an online business in comparing the offline business.

Tips for you who want to start a business via the internet:

Do not believe the promise of a miracle. Yes, many products offered via internet offers a promise of a quick way to get rich overnight.

Focus. If you are looking for information about something through internet, you will be overwhelmed with information. Similarly, if you are looking for information on how to make money via internet. If you are looking for through search engines, there will be thousands of pages provided. Now, this information will make beginners get confused how to start.

There are many ways of making money via the internet:

Sell your products – What’s your hobby? Do you like computers, cooking, camping, playing football, or eating? All your knowledge about your hobbies could be money. Do not believe? This is the product of the internet marketer of the world. All his knowledge of online business is written as product information, which is sold in the form of an e-book. In addition, you can of course sell physical goods. If you are a small business entrepreneur and want to go international, you can sell your products via the internet.

Sell your services – You can also sell services as well as selling products. For example, web hosting company, which leases space to put your site; or the graphic design services, financial consultants, as well as advertising services.

Sell other people’s products (reseller) – If the first two methods above oblige you create a product first, the following manner is not require you to do it. You must not create the product. You are just looking for a site that offers a reseller program and register to become a reseller. However, before you are allowed to register, usually you have to buy products from those sites.

Promote other people’s products (affiliate marketer) – This method is easier. You do not need to create or buying the product first. Anyway, this business is the most efficient in terms of cost. At this time, affiliate programs are booming. You just sign up, get the id, and promote your affiliate id. You will get commissions if consumers buy products via your affiliate id.

Finally, whatever your choice, there are no instant results in the world. You must work hard to be a successful online business entrepreneur. Good luck.

Pink Converse Boots As a Birthday Present

It is my cousin Lisa’s birthday on the 24th of this month and it took me five days to decide on what to give her. She is like my dear younger sister because we grew up together. We are also neighbors that are why we are very close to each other because she always comes over to my house and we do stuffs together like studying, cooking, chatting, etc. I just could not believe she is turning eighteen this month. It is just like yesterday when she still played with her Barbie dolls but now she likes to go out on a date with guys her age already which is pretty normal. Funny isn’t it? But I guess that is just life. And anyway, I went to the mall yesterday and bought her a brand new pair of pink converse boots.

For weeks, I saved my allowance just so I could buy a present for her. Being a student is tough because financially speaking you is still dependent on your parents and you cannot do something about it. Yes, part time jobs sometimes can help you with money but your salary is still not enough to prove to them that you can do it on your own. When I was sixteen, I told my father that I wanted to get an apartment for myself and live independently. He just laughed at what I said so I just forgot all about it. I guess I will just wait until I graduate from college.

With Lisa, I acted like her older sister because I am three years older than her. Her mother is a journalist and her job requires her to travel a lot. Her dad does the “mother” job most of the time. She loves fashion just like girls her age and one time I saw her drool over a pair of converse boots worn by a model in the magazine. That was when I decided to buy her that as a birthday present.

To end the story, as expected I am kind of broke now and I ruined my own surprise present for her. She came to my house this morning and unfortunately I was unable to hide the paper bag that contained the boots. When she saw the bag, she opened it and I saw the look on her face as she drooled over her birthday present just like the first time I saw her with the same reaction over those boots in the magazine. I did not need to explain anymore because she knew that the pink converse boots are definitely for her.