jatiN mahindrA doT coM

This is a guest post by Alla Goltsman. She worked as a computer consultant for many years. Now she finds pleasure in developing websites/blogs, reading, traveling, visiting museums and working out with kettlebells. She runs an affiliate marketing blog called MoneyKnot.com.

The article “Don’t Forget To Negotiate” by Jonathan Volk triggered recollection of many episodes in my life where negotiating was crucial. Being a Computer Consultant for over 20 years meant that I had to negotiate my pay rate as my livelihood depended on it. There is so much competition around, there is always somebody better then you are. What skills do you have that will make the interviewer select you as a better qualified consultant? You know you fully qualify for the job, but the interviewer does not know that. You need to bring that thought into the interviewer’s at the time of the interview or before that. See what I mean? Negotiation is a skill. How do you develop the ‘win/win’ negotiation skills?

Evaluate every situation. Do you need to be in touch with the participating people or you will never see them again? Do you need to develop a permanent relationship with the people? The answers to these key questions will determine the path that our negotiations will take.

I remember when I was buying a house, the negotiation was done on many levels: with the real estate broker about the fee, with the bank about the mortgage interest rate, with my attorney and, of course, with the sellers of the house. It was quite confrontational, as I remember. I gave the exact amount that I was going to pay and left very little for imagination. It was a buyer’s market at that time. What do you think happened? I got the house at the price I wanted. Later on I sold it at an incredible profit margin.

Negotiations can be fun and the results can bring fun. I always negotiate even while I am shopping at Macys. Sounds incredible? I was astonished when the sales person said ‘Yes’. Let me give you some details.

I was shopping at a Macy’s furniture store and saw a glass/metal table and chairs for my entertainment room. I thought the set would look great in my house and my guests would love to play cards sitting on those chairs, but it was rather expensive. I told my husband about it, we discussed and decided that we would buy if the price was at least $850.00 less. We did not realize that the sales person was standing right next to us. As soon as she heard that we were ready to buy, the negation was short and sweet. I still have the table and chairs! After that, we used the same technique very successfully and not only at Macy’s.

All our negotiations or lack of them influence our lives for many years to come.

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