Develop negotiating strategy and tactics
These are two dimensions of the negotiating process. They are:
- Strategy: It has a long term focus. It is a predetermined approach or a prepared plan of action to achieve a specific goal or objective to potentially find and make an agreement/contract in a negotiation with another party or parties.
- Tactics: It refers to the art or skill of employing available means to accomplish an objective or strategy. Tactics should support the strategy. Tactics can also be viewed as the detailed method employed by negotiators to gain advantage over other parties. Tactics should support the strategy.
It is important to brief about the strategy and tactics to be used in the organisation to other personnel who are participating in the negotiations as well as those who are affected by the negotiations. Briefing prevents unwanted surprises during face-to-face negotiations. Holding a mock or simulated negotiation may also help substantially for a complex and competitive negotiation.