Top Five Negotiation Mistakes revealed at Hungerford BBB
Why do people carry out poor business deals? Well, networkers at The Hungerford Big Business Breakfast found out when the popular monthly networking group met in August.
Hosted at
The Bear Hotel in Hungerford the event attracted over 40 people keen to network with professionals from the town itself and
Reading and
Newbury from the east and
Swindon and
Marlborough in the west. As ever there was a
terrific atmosphere and plenty of opportunities to meet potential business suppliers, referrals and clients.
Of course, many were there to hear one of the UK’s top sales negotiation specialists, Steve Jones, of
Focal Point Coaching, reveal the top five negotiating mistakes – or to use his vernacular
‘five reasons why people do crap deals’
- People believe things that are not true
- They don't plan properly
- They don't understand the decision making process
- They make no effort to alter the balance of power until it's too late
- They don't understand the rules and the cultural norms involved in the negotiation process
One gem I will share is how so many people weaken their position when they have been kept waiting (suggesting you time is worth less than that of who you are meeting). All too often we respond to an apology for the delay with ‘That’s okay,’ but it isn’t! Steve suggests asking: ‘Why? What’s going on’ in a stroke it shifts the balance and politely lets them know that is isn’t okay! Clever stuff eh?
Together with offering training and mentoring, Steve also donates his time to local networking events like Hungerford Big Business Breakfast to support small businesses in West Berkshire. He is also a founder member of the Newbury Business Group, which meets on Friday mornings at the Donnington Valley Golf Club in Newbury – back from a summer break on 2 September if you fancy visiting West Berkshire’s foremost independent networking group.
Forthcoming speakers at future meetings of the
Hungerford Big Business Breakfast include
loyalty and retention marking specialist Ant Hodges, who will reveal ‘How to date your clients’ at the next meeting on Tuesday 20 September and on Tuesday 18October Paul Cowie from
Rock IT will be delving into counterfeiting.
If you would like to attend the September Hungerford Big Business Breakfast please email
HBBB to confirm when you wish to join us for a hearty cooked breakfast, great networking and a cracking speaker – all for £10! Now there is a deal you know makes sense!