Research the Other Team’s Members and Personalities

Once you have established your goals and objectives and those of the other party, the next step in preparing for negotiation is gathering as much information as you can about the opposing party’s personalities. If you do not have a relationship with them already, begin to establish one by setting up a meeting or two prior to the negotiation. Perhaps you can meet informally over lunch one afternoon. If you are unable to meet with your counterparts prior to the negotiation, consider calling their assistants to find out more information regarding how to make them comfortable during the negotiation. Ask their assistants what they like to eat and drink so that you can have things prepared at the time of the negotiation.

Also think about how you will get their attention at the start of the negotiation meeting. What do you have in common with them? Perhaps you both like to hike and you can discuss trails you have hiked recently. What do they like to do for fun? If they like to play tennis, you can ask about the last game they played or how well they played. Or you could bring up the latest professional tennis tournament that you recently saw on television. This is a great way to get their attention before you begin negotiating.

Do you think the other side uses a hard or soft bargaining strategy? Can you trust them? How long do they anticipate the process will take? Do you know anyone acquainted with a member of the opposite team who can give you some information about them? What makes them tick? Are they impatient? Demanding? How long do they anticipate this process to take?

The more you know about the people on the other side, the more prepared you will be for the negotiation. And the more prepared you are, the more confident you will be because you will know what to expect.