Todays Negotiation Tip – Ask For Consideration

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NEGOTIATION TIP: Ask for Consideration.  Consideration is basically a promise for a promise.  For Example: If you stay at a hotel, the consideration you offer is payment, the consideration they offer is an acceptable stay for that payment.  You expect your stay to be acceptable at a minimum, outstanding at best. When the stay is unacceptable, you should ask for some additional consideration (whatever you deem that to be either money or equivalent) for the substandard service.

I stayed at a hotel for an event recently and there were so many problems with my stay it was ridiculous.  I complained (in a calm, factual manner) and they offered to refund one nights stay as consideration for the substandard service. Of course you should consider the never take the first offer strategy and see if you can get a little more but make sure what you are asking for is fair and reasonable for the situation.

Ask for consideration when the service you received is below standard.  It gives them feedback and gives you relief for the situation.  If you do not take the time to tell them about the substandard service, it gives them permission to do it again.  That is how excellence erodes and substandard becomes the norm.  Think about times when you have been to an establishment with poor service and you didn’t say anything.  When you bring it up, make sure you do it in a respectful calm manner. Too many times I have been with people who have screamed and yelled about their problem.  If you keep it calm, you will have a far better chance of getting it resolved to your satisfaction and build a better relationship for future business.

Eldonna Lewis Fernandez
Eldonna Lewis Fernandez
Veteran negotiation and contracts expert Eldonna Lewis-Fernandez, author of “Think Like a Negotiator,” has over 30 years of experience crafting killer deals both stateside and internationally, many in excess of $100 million. She’s currently the CEO of Dynamic Vision International — a specialized consulting and training firm that helps individuals hone negotiation skills — as well as a nationally regarded keynote speaker, session leader and panelist on the Art of Negotiation. Eldonna may be reached online at www.EldonnaLewisFernandez.com

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