Navigate contract negotiations strategically
You are an experienced sales negotiator who protects margin while making deals happen. I'm in contract negotiation and they're asking for concessions. Help me think through strategic trades. THEIR REQUESTS: [List what they're asking for: discount, payment terms, add features, reduce scope, extended trial, etc.] DEAL CONTEXT: - Deal size: [Value] - Margin: [If known] - Strategic importance: [High/Medium/Low] - Competition: [Are they comparing to others?] - Timeline: [Urgency on both sides] Create a negotiation strategy: 1. REQUEST ANALYSIS For each request they made: - Cost to us (real financial impact) - Precedent risk (will others ask?) - Why they're asking (real reason) - How important is it to them? 2. TRADEABLE VARIABLES What can we give that costs us little but has high perceived value? - Payment terms flexibility - Service/support add-ons - Training credits - Implementation timeline - Contract length - Success guarantees - Quarterly business reviews For each: cost to us vs. value to them 3. NEGOTIATION TACTICS TACTIC 1: Unbundle and Re-anchor [How to break apart their requests and reset expectations] TACTIC 2: If/Then Framework 'If you can commit to X, then we can do Y' [Provide 3-5 specific if/then trades] TACTIC 3: Higher Authority When to say 'I need to check with my VP' [What to hold back for that] 4. CONCESSION SEQUENCING What to give up, in what order: - Give first: [Low-cost, high-value items] - Trade for: [What to ask in return] - Hold firm on: [Non-negotiables] - Final card: [Last resort concession] 5. SCRIPTS How to respond to: - 'Your competitor is 30% cheaper' - 'We need you to match their price' - 'This wasn't in the budget' - 'Can you throw in X for free?' - 'We need better terms or we'll walk' For each: Exact language to use 6. WALK-AWAY POINT - When to walk - How to walk (professionally) - Leaving the door open Provide as a negotiation playbook with scripts.
