Negotiations

1. Negotiation in Engluish - English Club
2. The Negotiation Process
3. Negotiation Idioms
4. Work - Negotiation Skills - British Council
5. BBC Talking Business - Negfotiations
6. Negotiation Introduction 
7. Negotiations

ESL Vocabulary practice - negotiations:
 Contracts/Contract negotiations 1
Contracts/Contract negotiations 2
Contracts/Contract negotiations 3
Contracts/Contract negotiations 4
Business negotiations (general) 1
Business negotiations (general) 2
Business negotiations (general) 3
Employment counteroffers 1
Employment counteroffers 2

How to Negotiate in English

In business, skilled negotiation can be the difference between making a million dollar contract and being fired. Here are some effective pointers to help you come out on top in the negotiation process.

Starting on a positive

The people who you are negotiating with may be business competitors. To have productive negotiations with competitors it's important to set a positive tone early on, establishing that you can both overcome your differences. For example, "The United States and Russia, England and France, and Germany and France are all former competitors who became allies. If they could do it, so can we."

Dealing with unethical negotiators

It's possible that you'll come up against people who will try every nasty negotiation trick in the book. Deal with such unethical behavior not by aggressive confrontation, but in a dignified manner. For example, if you feel that you are being lied to or deceived, you could say, "I've come to trust you completely, but on this issue I sense some holding back."

Using effective questioning

Effective questioning forms the backbone of successful negotiations. They give both sides an opportunity to gauge each other's attitudes on key issues as well as set goals and expectations. Asking open-ended questions early on will give both sides an opportunity to gather this information. For example, you could ask, "What are you hoping to achieve today?"

Recovering from offending someone

Causing offense will happen at certain stages of the negotiation process, so it's important to know how to recover from such incidents. One way to do so is to take the offensive comment and put it in a positive light. For example, "If I seemed sharp a few moments ago, be assured that it was only due to my determination to make this work."

Showing humility

Negotiations are a two-way communication, so it's a good idea to avoid getting stuck in a series of, "I'm right, you're wrong," situations. Show humility and respect to the people you are negotiating with, do not pretend to have all the answers, and openly allow them to take control of some issues. For example, "That's more your area of expertise than mine, so I'd like to hear more."

Recovering from negotiation breakdown

When negotiations break down due to anger, resentment or simple unwillingness to listen, pay careful attention when getting back to productive dialogue. Admitting mistakes and showing that you are still willing to proceed will help the negotiations regain a more civil atmosphere. For example, you could say, "What happened last week was unacceptable as it was unintentional. Shall we move on?"

Negotiating in English – Showing Discontent

Negotiations may be delicate affairs, especially in a language different from your own but it doesn't mean you can't show a little displeasure or handle your counterpart's unwillingness to compromise to get the outcome you want.
“Work with me”
Jake: “It’s this or nothing.”
Instead of walking away, you can say…
Ian: “Work with me here. I’m sure we can come to an agreement.”

This will bring your counterpart closer to you instead of his stance as an adversary.

“Tough on us”
Jake: “You’ll also need to hand over control of the department”
Instead of getting frustrated, you can say…
Ian: “That would be tough on us, how about…”

Ian is forcing Jake to empathize with him and offering him a compromise.

“I’m a little disappointed…”
Jake: “I’m afraid we can’t give you more for that price”
Instead of ending negotiations, you can say…
Ian: “I’m a little disappointed. Is that all you can offer?”
This will make Jake want to give Ian a better offer!

“I understand…”
Ian: “I understand where you’re coming from, however…”

Empathize with your counterpart to show your willingness to see things from his perspective, but make him see your point of view as well.

“I’m willing to compromise”
Ian: “I’m willing to compromise, but you’ll have to do better than that.”

Show your willingness to work with your counterpart so he’ll feel invested in a reasonable outcome for both sides.

Have you been in a particularly frustrating negotiation? What do you do when you’re unhappy with the way things are going?

5 Proven Ways to Close a Deal in English

Let's face it. Negotiation and sales is tough work, and even tougher when it's not done in your native language. Often, when English is not spoken correctly, it can come across as too pushy or even too rude – which ruins all chances for the perspective deal. Don't let English be the downfall. Improve your selling skills with our handy guide – and get the deal of a lifetime!

Use "you"

When speaking with a client, try to begin your sentences with the words you or your. You'll find this grabs their attention more quickly than beginning with phrases like "I think…" or "Let me tell you about…" because it focuses the attention on them, not on you. For example, "You'll find that your English improves very rapidly when you study at Englishtown!"

Add something extra

Everyone likes to feel like they are getting something for free! If it's possible, try to add a little something extra to the deal to make the customer or client feel special. Use phrases like, "If you buy now, I can…" and "If we sign the deal soon, I can…" to put a little additional pressure on the customer to commit quickly. For example, "If you sign up for Englishtown today, you can get one week free!"

Offer proof

Sometimes customers just don't believe salespeople are telling the truth, and there can often be mistrust between two companies negotiating a deal. It's important that your clients grow to trust you, so find something you can show them that will prove the quality of what you're offering. Begin with the phrase, "Don't just take my word for it." Then, follow up with a way to offer them proof, like "Look at what these other people have to say." or "Look at the rate of success. The numbers speak for themselves." It's also very helpful if the client can try out your product or service. For example, "Why don't you try out Englishtown yourself by signing up for a free trial?"

Ask questions

When your clients begin to hesitate, don't back down, but don't be too pushy, either. Instead you need to listen. Ask them questions that will help them be honest with you such as, "What concerns do you have?", "What's holding you back?" or "What's stopping you from signing up for Englishtown today?" Your clients will appreciate the fact that you care enough to really listen.

Be willing to negotiate

Finally, after your customers have shared their concerns, you have to be willing to compromise a bit to give them what they want. Use expressions in formats such as, "We'll lower the price, if you agree to pay cash." and "We're prepared to make this deal exclusive, providing you sign a 10-year contract with us."