How do you reinforce your negotiation agreements?

1 Confirm the terms

The first step to reinforce your negotiation agreements is to confirm the terms with your client verbally and in writing. This means summarizing the main points of the agreement, clarifying any details or expectations, and asking for confirmation from the client. You can also send a follow-up email or a formal contract that outlines the terms and conditions of the agreement, and request a signature or a reply from the client. Confirming the terms helps you avoid any confusion or disputes later on, and shows your professionalism and respect for the client.

2 Set milestones and deadlines

The second step to reinforce your negotiation agreements is to set milestones and deadlines for the delivery of your services or products, and communicate them clearly to your client. Milestones and deadlines help you track the progress of your work, ensure accountability, and demonstrate value to your client. You can also use them to provide regular updates, feedback, and reports to your client, and to celebrate achievements and successes. Setting milestones and deadlines helps you maintain a consistent and transparent communication with your client, and build trust and credibility.

3 Manage expectations and changes

The third step to reinforce your negotiation agreements is to manage expectations and changes that may arise during the execution of your work. This means being proactive and realistic about what you can deliver, how you can handle challenges or risks, and how you can accommodate requests or modifications from your client. You also need to be flexible and adaptable, but not at the expense of your quality or scope of work. You can use a change management process or a change order form to document and approve any changes to the original agreement, and to adjust the terms, costs, or timelines accordingly. Managing expectations and changes helps you prevent scope creep, avoid conflicts, and preserve your reputation.

4 Address issues and concerns

The fourth step to reinforce your negotiation agreements is to address any issues or concerns that may emerge during the course of your work, and resolve them promptly and professionally. This means being attentive and responsive to your client's feedback, questions, or complaints, and acknowledging and apologizing for any mistakes or problems. You also need to be solution-oriented and collaborative, and propose and implement actions or improvements that can fix or prevent the issues or concerns. You can also use a dispute resolution process or a mediation service if necessary, to avoid escalation or litigation. Addressing issues and concerns helps you maintain a positive and constructive relationship with your client, and enhance your customer satisfaction.

5 Deliver on your promises

The fifth step to reinforce your negotiation agreements is to deliver on your promises, and meet or exceed your client's expectations. This means fulfilling your obligations, delivering your services or products on time, on budget, and on quality, and providing value and results to your client. You also need to be consistent and reliable, and follow through on your commitments, actions, and communications. You can also use a quality assurance process or a customer feedback survey to ensure that your work meets the standards and requirements of your client, and to measure and improve your performance. Delivering on your promises helps you demonstrate your competence and professionalism, and increase your customer loyalty.

6 Follow up and follow through

The sixth and final step to reinforce your negotiation agreements is to follow up and follow through with your client after the completion of your work, and ensure that the agreement is closed and satisfied. This means thanking your client for their business, asking for their feedback or testimonial, and providing any support or assistance they may need. You also need to follow through on any outstanding or pending issues or actions, and ensure that they are resolved or completed. You can also use a follow-up process or a CRM system to keep in touch with your client, and to identify and pursue any opportunities for repeat business, referrals, or cross-selling. Following up and follow through helps you close the loop, retain your client, and grow your account.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?