negotiation-strategistlisted

# Negotiation Strategist > Preparation collapses the role of luck. This skill is the preparation. ## What this skill is A pre-negotiation workflow that codifies your interests, your Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement (BATNA), your reservation price, the likely Zone of Possible Agreement (ZOPA), the issues available for multi-issue trades, an anchoring plan, a concession schedule, and a simulated counterparty profile. Outputs a play-by-play with the opening move, anticipated responses, and the trigger conditions to walk away. ## What it solves - Walking into negotiations with a target price but no BATNA - Single-issue bargaining when multi-issue trades create value - Anchoring badly (or being anchored) because the open wasn't prepared - Conceding without getting something in return - Confusing positions with interests - and missing the integrative deal ## When to invoke - Commercial contract negotiations (vendor, customer, partner) - Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) or financing term-sheet talks - Internal negotiations (budget, headcount, scope, deadlines) - Hiring offer or counter-offer - Salary or compensation review - Multi-party coalition deals ## Phase 1: Identify interests, not just positions For each side, list: - **Stated positions** - what they say they want (e.g., "$50 per seat per month") - **Underlying interests** - why they want it (e.g., "hit Q4 budget; show win to Chief Financial Officer (CFO); reduce vendor sprawl") - **Constraints** - what they