For more than a half-century, we have combined the art and science of proven negotiation strategies and tactics that assist people and organizations achieve better outcomes - the outcomes they need.

Strongbridge Negotiation Strategists possess a unique blend of real-world know-how, a keen understanding of human behavior, and experience across a broad range of industries that builds the foundation for the consulting services we offer. 

Negotiation Team-Building

Business negotiations rarely, if ever, involve only two people undertaking the actual negotiations. In most instances, each party to the conversation is mindful of the needs of different organizational stakeholders that must be acknowledged, respected, prioritized, and synchronized to maximize your ultimate negotiation success.

Being a successful negotiator requires an effective negotiation team member or leader who identifies and embraces the important needs of internal and external stakeholders. At our onsite or offsite boot camp, we conduct targeted role plays, exercises, and drills that will help you identify the relative and relevant attributes of each participant, maximize their value to the process, and cast them in the right roles for your next negotiation and those that follow.

Strategic Negotiation Preparation & Planning

The path to negotiation success starts with a series of questions.

  • How does the negotiation team identify and prioritize the organization’s realistic goals and needs (both short and long term)?  
  • What metrics will determine success?  
  • What information, due diligence and planning are needed to maximize success?
  • What information are you willing to share with the other side?
  • What negotiation strategy and tactics are best for your side?
  • What critical terms, representations and warranties will be needed?  
  • What strengths and weaknesses do you bring to the negotiations and how do you maximize those strengths and mitigate those weaknesses?
  • What are the strengths, weaknesses, non-financial interests, emotions, and concerns of the other side?
  • What strategy and tactics can you expect from the other side?  
  • What arguments, pitfalls, tricks, and curve balls should you expect and what are the best ways to counteract them?
  • What are your planned counter-offers? Are there any creative non-monetary trade-offs available?
  • What are your BATNA, WATNA, and LATNA? 

Without answers to these and other questions, you expose yourself and your business to otherwise avoidable risks and failures.

Winning requires a strategy rooted in thoughtful, proactive planning and preparation, with a focus not just on obtaining an immediate result, but also on building long-term business relationships and objectives while preventing future problems. We employ mind-mapping tools and other techniques to develop your strategy, hone your skills, and enhance your emotional intelligence. Whether you are readying for battle or a routine contract renewal, we will help you lay the groundwork essential to avoiding costly mistakes and indispensable to tailoring a strategy to ensure you come out ahead. 

Real-Time Negotiation Advice

In the heat of a negotiation, partnering with an experienced coach allows you to assess the situation better, ease the pressure, and navigate obstacles as you adhere to your strategy. That’s where we step in.

Onsite or on-call, our strategists are your dependable resource for negotiation advice and consultation. We will monitor discussions and developments as they happen, offer tips and brainstorm opportunities and responses, and bolster your trust and credibility in front of your opponents and colleagues. We’ll counsel you when to walk away and when to dig in your heels, when to improvise and when to stick with the script. Your win is our win.

Extensive Industry Knowledge

Over the years, our strategists have participated in and advised on negotiations in a broad range of industries including:

  • Automotive
  • Banking, Finance & Capital Markets
  • Commercial Transactions
  • Construction and Real Estate
  • Health Care
  • Higher Education
  • International Relations
  • Insurance  
  • Manufacturing
  • State & Local Government
  • Technology & Communications
  • Transportation