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The #1 Most Important Tool in Negotiation

There is a power tool in negotiation.  I would say this is the single most useful tactic that I use in my years of selling (I sell private jets among other high value products).

It is not competitive, it is not aggressive, it is not avoiding anything.

It does not require massive intellectual development, years of training or genetic gifts.

It requires no study, no poetic ability nor any magical secret ingredients.

It is …

 

Silence.

Silence.

Me: “What is your best price?”

Supplier: “Blah, blah [Product feature #2], blah… I can offer you €100”

Me: “Hmmm.” and wait…  10…  20 seconds…  (tension increasing)

Supplier: “Ok, I can give you €90…  but that is our best price”

Me:  “Hmmm.”  and wait…  10… 20 seconds… (tension increasing)

… and on…

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7 responses to “The #1 Most Important Tool in Negotiation”

  1. 7 aprendizajes tras perder la voz y qué hacer cuando te pase a ti – Declamatoria

    […] Hacer silencio en momentos clave para generar expectación, como aprendí en este artículo de Conor Neill sobre negociación. […]

    Reply
  2. carthesian Avatar
    carthesian

    This is great when your supplier is not sure about his price or desperately needs the sale. Go to Apple with this, you will get nothing.
    A good answer after your first silence should be “what price are you thinking?”, if you answer $50, the supplier knows that he will get almost $50 and the game starts.

    Reply
  3. Janak Parekh Avatar
    Janak Parekh

    Its true but its not possible in all time,,,because now the time where we read its fix rate shop , or nobody present for negotiation ,,,at mall and big shop where we just take things and rush to bill counter for payment….it is depend on case to case base ,,,,, Some case Silence is work and some case put the offer prize for purchase anythings….if seller ready than its ok ,,,

    Reply
    1. Conor Neill Avatar
      Conor Neill

      Yep, it is only a power tool in face-to-face… on the phone the other person just thinks the line has dropped… and by email… it looks like you don’t care 😉

      But then, if it really is important to you, you should be there face-to-face.

      Reply
  4. Ecatherine Avatar
    Ecatherine

    Very insightful, Conor! By the way, I’m teaching negotiation course next week, I am going to include silence as an universal tool for all types of negotiations (I’ll make sure I give you credit for this) 🙂

    Reply
    1. Conor Neill Avatar
      Conor Neill

      Thanks 😉 How do I sign up for your negotiation course?

      Reply
      1. Ecatherine Avatar
        Ecatherine

        drop me a line at eka@thecoach.es

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