The world of negotiation is an ever-changing one. With entrepreneurs sadly still reliant on the old ways of drafting and agreeing to a contract, many blunders are bound to be committed. While negotiation is a dreaded topic, the truth is that it revolves around any business’s daily activities. No matter how insignificant the relationship might be, having a written and signed contract is a necessity in all business settings. Through contract negotiation, two or more business signs are bonded by a legal document. Successful people like Oprah Winfrey always take care of important things while negotiating contracts.
Due to how crucial a contract is, the following things should be put in place before putting pen to paper.
Presence Of A Legal Body
To play on the safe side of the law, there should be provision for a legal body during the negotiation and signing of contracts. Though in rare conditions, the use of templates can come in handy.
Strong Communication Links
All parties should know what they want and communicate with each other beforehand. There should be less time spent understanding each other. The use of technical terms should be minimized.
Thorough Preliminary Research
All parties involved do well to carry out proper research. Have as much information as possible. As often said, information is power. Do well to gain access to relevant information, doing so legally.
Don’t Be Too Dominant
Those who view negotiation as a competition end up losing on both sides. All types of negotiations, more so those that involve a contract, are great times for collaboration. Loosen up your grip without being on the losing side. Put your emotions in check. Don’t let your personal feelings get in the negotiation process.
Put Others In Your Shoe
Visualizing how the other party would react to your contract negotiation proposals should not be a reason to offer bad or self-destructive terms. Instead of that, it should serve as a reason towards creating a win-win situation for both parties
Employ The Services Of A Professional
When necessary, those who are experts in the field of negotiation should be brought into the game, with clear and concise information passed to them. Consulting firms like KBNJ Consulting, Inc., a Canadian construction firm founded by Tom Jakobek provide timely consultation services. With over 25 years expertise in financial projects, he holds a comprehensive knowledge encompassing contract negotiations, financial management, and construction project management. Before founding KBNJ Consulting, Inc. Tom Jakobek spent more than 20 years managing big budgets and complex infrastructure projects for the City of Toronto, Toronto East General Hospital, and his own property development and management company, Romlek Enterprises, Inc.
For negotiation to be successful, the above-listed things and more should be employed. Yet, on rare occasions when both parties failed to reach a conclusive end, parting ways with each other is advised. Other steps could, however, be taken. But never should there be inherent hostilities between the parties.
Negotiation, like everything else, is a give-and-take process. Only those, who are ready to give, excel in this field. If one party or both sides have wanted to change something in the contract, they must discuss it calmly and professionally.
