Why You Must Always Bargain… Hard
You will probably think I say this since I’m a corporate lawyer, and that’s what I do. Or since I’m Indian (we love a good deal). Well, all I’d like to say is — you’re right.
My profession really made me believe in the concept of negotiation and its importance, but as I thought more deeply about it, I understood why it’s necessary.
Negotiating displays what you believe a value of a certain thing is. The value becomes fluid and more rooted in fairness.
When you negotiate up, it displays self-belief, sets the ground for the opposite party not taking you for granted, and potentially leaves you with a result you more deserve.
When you negotiate down, in all probability, you’re left with having given something more appropriate for what you earned and curbs arbitrary behaviour patterns.
Many people are of the view that bargaining is a sign of classless-ness (Is that a word? I like to make up words sometimes.) I very strongly am of the opinion that it mostly certainly is not. It curbs monopoly and ego, it establishes association and confidence. It’s the green to your rainbow and the filling to your sandwich.
Of course, there is a host of circumstantial factors that contributes to a final outcome — desire, desperation levels, monetary strength, bye-products of the deal etc.
Collaboration thrives on negotiating and you must not shy away from it. Not bargaining usually results in a very raw deal and misconceptions about your prowess which ultimately lead to dissatisfaction.
Often times the results of bargaining are surprising — a lot more can be achieved with the same resources, all it takes is someone to call it out.
Negotiating instills a sense of not-getting-what-you-want, a feeling everyone in the real world should be familiar with.
Haggle away, my friends, and pay attention while you’re at it, you’ll understand what I’m talking about.
Also, to all the non-Indians (and Indians) who get offended when we bargain, this is a PSA — please don’t. It’s how things work in India. We will also bargain when you come to India for anything you want to buy, it’s part of our culture, just like it’s not part of yours :)
PS: Feel free to reach out if you need help with professional negotiation, I know a few sure-shot tips that help.
