Negotiating is not a skill that comes naturally to most of us. But anyone can get better at it.
Many people dread negotiating contracts, but they’re often a necessary part of business life. As a lawyer, I do it all day, but I don't just focus on the legalese. I am passionate about coaching my clients to secure better business terms in their contracts.
I recently reviewed a contract for a client who wanted to get into a new distribution relationship with a manufacturer. Having seen many of those types of contracts before, I suggested several ideas that he could propose to the manufacturer that would increase his revenue share and improve other commercial terms.
He was thrilled because he hadn't thought of these ideas. Our consultation took only about 30 minutes, so his return on investment was huge.
Contracts don't have to be headache-inducing if you are willing to change your perspective. Think of them as a tool to achieve your goals.