What are the steps to develop a negotiation improvement plan?

2 Set SMART goals

The second step is to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for your negotiation improvement. For example, you might want to improve your communication skills, increase your confidence, or achieve higher win-win outcomes. Your goals should be based on your assessment results and aligned with your business development objectives. You should also prioritize your goals and focus on the most important ones first.

3 Choose feedback and learning methods

The third step is to choose the feedback and learning methods that will help you achieve your goals. Feedback is essential for improving your negotiation skills, as it allows you to monitor your progress, identify your mistakes, and adjust your strategies. You can get feedback from various sources, such as your negotiation partners, observers, coaches, or self-reflection. Learning methods are the ways you acquire new knowledge and skills, such as reading books, taking courses, watching videos, or practicing simulations. You should select the feedback and learning methods that suit your learning style, preferences, and availability.

4 Implement your plan

The fourth step is to implement your plan and apply what you have learned to your real-life negotiations. You should schedule regular sessions to review your feedback and learning materials, and practice your skills in low-risk or mock scenarios before entering high-stakes negotiations. You should also track your performance and outcomes, and document your successes and challenges. This will help you evaluate your progress and celebrate your achievements.

5 Review and revise your plan

The fifth step is to review and revise your plan periodically, based on your results and feedback. You should compare your current skills and outcomes with your initial assessment and goals, and identify what has improved and what still needs work. You should also consider any changes in your business development context, such as new markets, competitors, or clients, that might affect your negotiation needs and strategies. You should update your plan accordingly, and set new goals and actions for continuous improvement.

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?