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Whether you are a young or old person, whether you are a man or woman, the truth is that negotiating is inevitable.

Now, when it comes down to it, negotiating is simply about discussing and agreeing to the best possible deal between two or more parties. Often it is for the good of a relationship, a stepping stone to an improved future, or to soothe a troubled situation. Here are our top six tips to improving your negotiating skills so that you can benefit, whether it’s in your professional or personal walk of life.

1. BE PREPARED
Never walk into a negotiation unprepared. You need to know what you will say and the best way to do that is to make a list of goals, items that you want to discuss, the general course in which you want the discussion to go, and lastly, the possible outcomes.

You should also make a point of preparing yourself and your response in case the negotiation does not go your way.

2. GET SUPPORT
Part of your preparation is to ensure that you have support. Not only does having a reliable and believable supporter (or supporters) increase your chances of appearing credible it also extends this credibility to your negotiation. In addition, it has the effect of making you feel empowered and confident.

This isn’t the only kind of support that could positively influence your negotiation. Leading up to your negotiation, you could start offering support to those around you and those that will play a role in your negotiation. Proactively offering assistance where and whenever can work in your favour, even if an ulterior motive is suspected.

Think about it, isn’t it easier to say yes to someone who has done or is doing something nice for you?

3. BE AWARE OF YOURSELF
It’s important to consider how you will be perceived during your negotiation. For instance, when you walk into the room and sit down, observe your body language. Make sure that your posture is relaxed and professional and don’t let your face slip into a frown. You should also avoid crossing your arms across your chest. What you should try do is make direct eye contact and smile when it’s appropriate. Overall, it’s important that you keep your body language positive as more often than not, this will attract a positive response.

4. BE OPEN
This is not the time to keep things to yourself. This is the time to voice your concerns and openly discuss what you’ve prepared. Do not waste your opportunity to negotiate your discussion points. Not only will it make you appear weak, but it will also weaken your cause.

5. CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIME
It’s important that you get your timing right. For instance, when children want something they usually wait until Mom is busy preparing dinner and then, while the decision maker is distracted, slip their request in. This may or may not work in a business scenario and you might want to carefully consider the implications of setting up your negotiation meeting during a busy time, like month- or year-end.

6. TALK TO THE RIGHT PERSON

As many parents will know, children know who will (or can) say yes and will target that person. They’ll also go straight on to the next decision maker if the first says no.

We need to keep this in mind and make sure that you do not negotiate with anyone who does not have any bearing on the matter as this will be a waste of time. You should always make sure that you talk to a decision maker when it comes to negotiation.

Now, what if after all this your negotiations fail? Don’t panic. It is entirely (and most likely) possible that the other party needs time to process what they’ve heard and discuss internally what you have brought to their attention.

One thing you won’t have to negotiate is your insurance package when you come to auto & general. We have spent many years developing products, like home contents, vehicle, buildings, and portable possessions insurance that will not only cover you against the financial risk of loss, theft, or damage, but will also give you tangible benefits, like road assist and home assist.

Take a moment to get an online quote or contact us and one of our knowledgeable consultants will help you get what you need at a reasonable monthly premium. No negotiations necessary.