Negotiation Gifts

'Okay, Simms, we have a verbal agreement, but I'd like my lawyer to check it.'

'This contract proposal needs more work. I'm not experiencing any twinges of guilt over it.'

"We should lavish them with media attention when they pass a budget cooperatively, to reinforce good behavior."

Come over here.

"Oh dear did we neglect to read the contract thoroughly?"

'Maybe you should reconsider those place cards, Ms Harris?' (Negotiation talks/Good Guys/Bad Guys)

'Can't you see? This isn't a real offer! They're just tossing us a bone!'

"That's unanimous then - we don't know what to do."

'I'd like you to hammer out a win-win agreement in which they lose.'

'So, Smith, how do you feel negotiations are going?'

'I'm sorry...what other options are there?'

'Once they noticed your tail wagging, they stopped upping their offer.'

'Look, if this fails we'll still have to do business with them, so try to be subtle about it.'

'I'll agree to a fifty-fifty split, but I get the hyphen.'

'Could we finish these negotiations via e-mail? That will allow me to think before I respond to your proposals.'

Management self help books: "He's staring at me, do you think he's having some kind of seizure?" "Managing negotiations chapter 3, 'maintain eye contact whilst reinforcing image of strength and warmth'"

Tug of Negotiation and Conciliation.

'Everything is negotiable, including my integrity.'

'Pick a contract...any contract!'

Jerkins and I worked it out. He can have the office with the window.'

"A handshake is as good as a thirty-page contract, eh, Mr. Harrison?"

'Five hours of tough negotiation and you blow it by wagging your tail too soon!'

'They're not pets - they're negotiating tools.'

'In negotiations, he appeared to have ice in his veins, but his tail betrayed him.'

'Ready for your first lesson in negotiations?'

'What's important is that we found some common ground. Let's try not to get bogged down over who found it first.'

'Negotiating skills need fine tuning.'

"Three bedrooms, living room, dining room, and a little room to negotiate."

'I'll compromise. I'll admit I'm wrong if you admit I'm right.'

'Did you notice how he was suddenly interested in our sales pitch when I mentioned a substantial bribe?'

'Let's meet halfway.'

'We can agree with me or you can be wrong.'

'I'm part of the decision-making process... I'm the 'No' part.'

'A good negotiator can stand back and gain perspective.'

'Right...we've agreed to mediation to decide whether or not we go to mediation!'