Does the thought of haggling
over room rates give you agita? Jim Camp, author of NO: The
Only Negotiating System You Need for Work and Home (Crown
Business), advocates stand-firm methods that turn the meek into the
mighty.
Dare to decline. Too
many people agree to unfavorable deals simply to avoid conflict.
But a firm “no” can be the first step to getting what you want,
Camp says. “No” is a starting point that lets the other side know
you’re not a pushover.
Play it cool. The
worst thing you can do during a negotiation is show emotion, Camp
says. Besides clouding your decision making, emotions show the
other side your weaknesses. Bottle your excitement or anger until
you leave the room, and if you feel yourself getting hotheaded,
excuse yourself for a few minutes.
Don’t blab. About your
budget, that is. Some planners think revealing numbers up front
speeds up the process, but Camp says spilling the beans is a big
mistake. “You appear needy for the deal,” he says. “Once you
demonstrate need, the other side attacks.”