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The Art of Negotiation in 535 words


I want to get better at negotiation, but where to start? UK Amazon currently has 2332 books on negotiation. Google indexed nearly 4 million relevant (yeah right) pages. All I need is a simple, straightforward model that I can put to use now.

Phased by the glut of information, I went within and remembered the wise teachings from a senior manager in my early working life. So, come closer, listen up, because he was very wise indeed?

He said "Do you know your LIMits?"

"My what? said I cautiously, wondering if he was asking about my drinking capacity, driving speed or something equally off the wall.

Being worldlier than I, he noticed my confusion and helped me out.

"Lyndsay, if you want to be successful in life, you need to know your LIMits. Let me explain. What would you Like to have? What do you Intend to have? What Must you have? What are your LIMit's?"

Slowly it dawned on me that he was talking the strange management language of mnemonics.

He wrote down the word for me like this.

L
I
M
I
T
S

And next to the letters he wrote

L - like to have: your number 1, top of the pile, best outcome
I - intend to have: your realistic, shoot for the stars but reach the moon outcome
M - must have: your bottom line. Deal is off if this is not met.

(The I,T and S are irrelevant, just convenient additions to prevent asking what your LIM are!)

Testing the Theory

And so ended his lesson. Off I scampered like the eager young graduate I was, itching to put this into practice. Thinking about a possible secondment opportunity I wrote the following:

Like - 10% bonus, new laptop, mentoring with new senior manager
Intend - 5% bonus, attendance at special course, return to new job after secondment
Must - same pay, relocation expenses paid, credit in my appraisal

The final deal I struck landed somewhere between Like and Intend, with a few perks I had not even considered, so I felt it was a success.

Why Negotiation Works

There are a couple of reasons why simple models are useful but often forgotten.

The LIMits negotiation model encourages flexible thinking in that there are 3 potential good outcomes. Compare this with the most common alternative - success or failure - and you can see there is only 1 measly good outcome. You don't have to be a gambling pro to work out which approach is best! The secret of the LIMits model is if you don't meet all the criteria for success, then the opposite is not failure, just a different outcome.

The other benefit of using the LIMits negotiation model is it forces you to prepare, gaining you vital spare capacity when you are in the thick of the negotiation. You will be clear about your position and better able to get that across.

Information overload

As I demonstrated, simple models are forgotten because we seek out newer, shinier ideas in books, the internet or from other sources. Reduce information overload by re-using what you already know or recycling an old idea into one that works today. Old knowledge is not always redundant.

So, negotiate that new job, better deal or contract. All you need is to know your LIMits.

Lyndsay Swinton is an experienced team leader, people manager and business coach. Her website is www.mftrou.com - 'Management for the rest of us'. Subscribe to her free no-nonsense Management Tips newsletter at mftrou.com today.


MORE RESOURCES:

The Guardian

British Airways Board Called on By Unite Union for Negotiations
Seven Sided Cube
The talks would try to turn aside the next weekend's plan of strikes and he is sure that some solution would come from the negotiations. ...
Union appeals for talks to end BA strikeReuters
BA Reinstates More Cancelled FlightsSky News
BA cabin crew strike: Your storiesBBC News
FT.com (blog) -Times Online -Independent
all 2,976 news articles »


Telegraph.co.uk

Israel won't back down in dispute with US, PM says
CNN
"We can raise any issue for negotiation and have made it clear we can do so better through direct talks. Only if you sit down and speak can you reach a real ...
Time to break the fog of Middle East politicsWashington Post
PM: Building in Jerusalem is like building in Tel AvivYnetnews
US Middle East envoy to meet Netanyahu, AbbasXinhua
RT -Jerusalem Post -Nation on Sunday
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New York Times (blog)

Two House health care reform votes: first fixes, then Senate bill
Christian Science Monitor
The president's appeal capped 24 hours of intense negotiation as Speaker Nancy Pelosi pressed to get to a critical 216 votes, while working out ...
Health Care Reform Bill Summary, What you need to knowWorld Buzz Now!
Health Care Reform Bill Summary and HighlightsWorld Correspondents
Obama to House: Health Care Reform is in Your HandsCBS News
Lexology (registration) -San Francisco Chronicle -Politico (blog)
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Reuters UK

MLS, players union went long way to get season started
Delaware County Daily Times
“The pressure of deadlines tend to produce results and this negotiation was no different on that front,” MLSPU executive director Bob Foose said during a ...
MLS, union can finally breathe easy - MLSESPN
State of the Union: MLS Averts StrikeComcast SportsNet Philadelphia
My solution to the MLS CBA situationRSL Soapbox
Houston Chronicle -Boston Globe (blog)
all 436 news articles »


Boston Globe

Judge orders re-negotiation of health compensation for 9-11 workers
Earthtimes (press release)
But news reports said the judge decided late Friday that the deal was not clear with regard to individual compensation and ordered re-negotiation. ...
US Judge Delays Sept. 11 Worker Settlement For More TalksNPR (blog)

all 589 news articles »


Telegraph.co.uk

UN chief: Jerusalem subject of final negotiation
Ynetnews
Ban, who is expected to arrive in Israel on Saturday, stressed the international stand that "the status of Jerusalem is a subject of final negotiation. ...
QUARTET WILL DECIDE ON PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI NEGOTIATIONS – RUSSIAN FMBrunei News, Brunei Headlines from Brunei fm
Clinton: Decision to escalate row with Israel 'is paying off'Ha'aretz
Israel Feeling Rising Anger From the USNew York Times
The Guardian -Huffington Post (blog) -Fog City Journal
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CBS News

The End of Hope and Change
CBS News
Over the past week, in backroom conversations with members of Congress, Obama changed his negotiation tone from demanding to desperate. ...

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Negotiation between City of Las Vegas and unions bogged down
KTNV Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV- The City of Las Vegas and unions are bogged down in contract negotiations, and it seems the muck separating them from a solution is only ...

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Voxy

Q+A: Interview with Sir Geoffrey Palmer
TVNZ
Over a period of ten years I think several thousand whales would be saved, but you have to remember this is a negotiation. This negotiation is not complete, ...
Whaling compromise, not court says GovtStuff.co.nz
Palmer urges compromise on whaling debateNew Zealand Herald
Whaling debate: 'We can't stop the killing' - delegate3News

all 18 news articles »


After union contracts limit budget cuts, council seeks spot at negotiation table
WKTV
UTICA, NY (WKTV) - A Utica City Councilman wants the council to have a say in union negotiations. First District Councilman Frank Vescera, ...

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