NEGOTIATING CHALLENGES

EVERYDAY OPPORTUNITIES TO PRACTICE YOUR NEGOTIATING SKILLS! 

FLIP IT

This is a two-part exercise. Try buying any item and then selling that same item for a profit. You'll want to negotiate your best possible deal in both transactions in order to maximize your profit.  Describe what you purchased and at what discount you were able to buy it for.  Then describe what you sold it for and the profit you earned.  You can make improvements to the original item if you like before you sell it.  Describe what you learned in this exercise.

THE PAPERCLIP

Watch the video, The Paperclip, then try to replicate that exercise.  Take any item and attempt to trade up five times.  Describe the item you started with then each subsequent trade including what you ended up with on the fifth trade.  Describe what you learned in this exercise as well.

TALK POLITICS...IF YOU DARE.

This one isn't for the faint of heart. Try having a reasonable conversation about politics with someone you disagree with. Your goal is to listen, learn more about the other party's perspective, and to challenge them with your own ideas as well. Your ideas should be things you can support with proof. See if you can turn an uncomfortable conversation into a productive and healthy exchange. Describe your experience below.

THE $5 CHALLENGE

Try negotiating your best deal on anything priced at $5 or less in a retail or food-related environment. This will probably take you way out of your comfort zone. That's the point! Have fun with it! Describe your experience.

NEGOTIATE BY EMAIL

Try negotiating your best deal on anything by email. Describe your experience.

NEGOTIATE BY VIDEO CONFERENCE

Try negotiating your best deal where the medium is video-based. Your negotiation can take place in any video-based environment including video conference, FaceTime, or otherwise. Describe your experience.

NEGOTIATE BY TEXT

Try negotiating your best deal on anything in a digital only environment where your only interaction is via email, text, or chat. Describe your experience.

NEGOTIATIONS IN THE MOVIES

Watch a movie with a good scene that depicts a negotiation or provides some good insight or advice to negotiators. State the movie and describe the scene.

CRAIGSLIST

Try buying or selling something on Craigslist or another site where buyers and sellers connect to sell second-hand items. Try negotiating your best deal. Describe your experience.

THE FIVE DAY CHALLENGE

Try negotiating a better deal on something every day for five consecutive days! Describe your experience.

BIG TICKET

Try negotiating a better deal on a big ticket item, priced at $1,000 or more. Describe your experience.

50/50

Try negotiating 50% off of something priced at $50 or more. Describe your experience.

NEGOTIATE YOUR PHONE BILL

Try negotiating a better deal on your phone bill. Describe your experience.

NEGOTIATE YOUR CABLE BILL

Try negotiating a better deal on your cable bill. Describe your experience.

NEGOTIATE YOUR SATELLITE RADIO BILL

Try negotiating a better deal on your satellite radio bill. Describe your experience.

DIY PROJECT NEGOTIATION

Try negotiating down the total cost of a DIY home project. It's your chance to be Chip and Joanna Gaines and to earn a better deal at the same time! Describe your experience.

VOLUNTEER

Lend your negotiating skills to a non-profit organization. Negotiate something successfully on their behalf. Describe your experience.

GAIN-GAIN

Negotiate a deal in which you're able to expand the pie and create a better deal for all parties. Describe your experience and how you were able to achieve a better deal for both parties.

TAKE IT TO THE BANK

Try negotiating a better deal with your bank on a loan or on the interest rate for a credit card. Describe your experience.

MONTHLY EXPENSES

Try negotiating a better deal on something you pay for on a monthly basis. Describe your experience.

THE GYM

Negotiate a better deal at your local gym. Describe your experience.

PET PROJECT

Try negotiating a better deal on something you'd purchase for your favorite pet.  Describe your experience.

ANYTHING FOR A FRIEND

Negotiate something on behalf of a friend. Help them to get a better deal. Describe your experience.

FAMILY FUN

Negotiate your best deal on something you and your family can enjoy together. Describe your experience.

BUY OR SELL A HOUSE

Negotiate your best deal on a house you're buying or selling. Describe your experience.

NEGOTIATE TUITION

Try negotiating a better deal on your child or relative's college or other school tuition. Yes, it can be done! Describe your experience.

HOME SERVICES

Try negotiating a better price with someone who comes to your home to provide a service. Describe your experience.

SELL SOMETHING

Try to advertise and sell something in your local community. Try negotiating your best deal to earn points. Describe your experience.

THAT'S THE TICKET

Try negotiating a better price on tickets for an upcoming sporting event or concert. Describe your experience.

RENT OR LEASE

Try to negotiate a better deal on a new or existing lease or rental agreement. Describe your experience.

A USED CAR

Try negotiating a better deal on the price of used car. You can be the buyer or seller. Describe your experience.

A NEW CAR

Try negotiating a better deal on the purchase of a new car. Describe your experience.

TIRES AND WHEELS

Try to negotiate a better deal on the price of tires for your car. Describe your experience.

AUTO REPAIR OR MAINTENANCE

Try to negotiate a better deal on the cost of an auto repair. Describe your experience below.

COOPERATION - PROFESSIONAL

Negotiate cooperation with a co-worker. No explanation required. We're on the honor system with this one as well.

COOPERATION - PERSONAL

Try to negotiate cooperation with someone in your personal life. No explanation necessary. We're on the honor system with this one.

WILDCARD

Try negotiating a better deal on anything and earn credit for your efforts. Describe your experience.

HOTEL

Try negotiating a better deal with a hotel or resort as part of an upcoming trip you're planning. Describe your experience below. 

GROCERY

This will bring some excitement back to your trips to the grocery store. Try negotiating a better deal on at least one item in your cart. Describe your experience.

EVENT

Try negotiating a better deal on an upcoming event you're planning. Negotiations can be with the venue or any of the vendors. Describe your experience.

MEDICAL

Yes, this is going to seem strange but don't believe you can't negotiate with doctors and health care professionals. Describe your experience. You don't even have to comment on this one. We'll just go on the honor system and take your word for it.

HAIR CUT OR SALON

Negotiate a better deal on your next trip to the barber or salon. Describe your experience.

FLEA MARKET

Try negotiating a better deal on your next trip to the flea market. Easy points to be had here, don't miss 'em! Describe your experience to earn your points.

GARAGE OR YARD SALE

Try negotiating a better deal at a garage or yard sale. This is the easiest points you'll get! Grab 'em while their hot! Describe your experience to earn your points.

RETAIL

Try negotiating a better deal on your next trip to a retail store. Describe your experience to earn your points.

RETAIL ELECTRONICS

Try negotiating a better deal on your next trip to the consumer electronics store. Describe your experience to earn your points.

APPLIANCES

Try negotiating a better deal on your next trip to the appliance store. Describe your experience to earn your points.

SPORTING GOODS STORE

Try negotiating a better deal on your next trip to the sporting goods store. Describe your experience to earn your points.

HOME IMPROVEMENT RETAILER

Try negotiating a better deal on your next trip to the home improvement store. Describe your experience to earn your points.

CLOTHING STORE

Try negotiating your best deal on your next purchase at a retail clothing store. Describe your experience to earn your points.

AIR TRAVEL

Try negotiating a better deal on airfare for your next trip. Describe your experience.

COFFEE HOUSE

Go to a local coffee house to see if you can negotiate a better deal on your favorite coffee or tea. Describe your experience.

BREAKFAST

Try negotiating a better deal on breakfast at a restaurant of your choosing. Describe your experience to earn your points.

LUNCH

Try negotiating a better deal on lunch at a restaurant of your choosing. Describe your experience to earn your points.

DINNER

Try negotiating a better deal on dinner at a restaurant of your choosing. Describe your experience to earn your points.

MAKE SOMETHING AND SELL IT

Build something or create a work of art and sell it.  Describe your experience to earn points.

MOVIE TICKETS

Try negotiating a better deal on movie tickets.

SUGGEST YOUR OWN NEGOTIATION

Make up your own negotiation exercise.  Describe your experience to earn points.

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING IN THE NEWS

Find a problem in the news that is difficult to solve that is causing a dispute.   Consider some potential creative solutions to the problem and how it would benefit the disputing parties.  Describe your experience to earn points.

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING PERSONAL

Consider a problem you're dealing with personally or one that a friend has shared and would like some help with.  Come up with some creative solutions to the problem.  Describe your experience to earn points.

YOUR STRENGTHS INVENTORY

Take about 30 minutes to sit down and write a list of all your personal strengths.  What attributes do you have personally that other people notice in you and respect you or like you for?  In what way can those attributes help you succeed as a negotiator?  What attributes do you think you have that may be working against you as a negotiator?  What systems can you put in place to support those attributes?

YOUR REPUTATION INVENTORY

What do other people think about you?  Do they see you as trustworthy?  Do they see you as credible and as an expert in your field?  Do they want to do business with you?  Do they seek out your friendship?  What can you do to enhance your reputation and the way others interact with you?  Take about 30 to sit down and consider these important questions.

YOUR ASSETS INVENTORY

Take 30 minutes to 1 hour to write down a complete list of assets you have access to that you could draw from in any negotiation.  Assets may include tangible items and intangible items.  Assets may also include your unique expertise and know-how.