economy
I felt powerless against my wedding vendors, so I asked an expert for help—her top 3 tips for winning any negotiation
The key to negotiation, says author and organizational consultant Attia Qureshi, is to convince the other party that they're getting a win, too.
TL;DR
- Wedding vendors may use a lack of price transparency as a negotiation tactic.
- Attia Qureshi, author of "Never Settle," suggests three steps for effective negotiation: define what you want, anchor your offer with research, and have an alternative plan.
- Understanding your interests allows vendors to offer a range of solutions.
- Market research provides external data to support your desired numbers.
- Starting with an aggressive but data-supported number anchors the negotiation.
- Having a backup plan increases confidence and allows for flexibility.
- Negotiations should aim to invite conversation rather than force defense.
- Flexibility beyond price, such as offering alternatives to costly services, can lead to better deals.