Trade Negotiation Characteristics
The art of negotiation occurs as a defining part of the life process.
From birth to death, the elements of cooperation, compromise, and conciliation
govern the actions and conduct of human life. Just as individual employs
negotiation tactics in purchasing an automobile or a real estate property, even
maintaining a healthy relationship with the opposite gender, success in
Strat-O-Matic requires a lengthy consideration regarding the art of bargaining
in player trades and exchanges.
What is negotiation? Basically, the art of negotiation is a course of action designed to bring forth a stated or given end. The activity contains a number of variables – yet collaboration and consideration remains two of the universal principles.
Pre-Negotiation
Processes
Preparation and research govern the first step of the process.
Expectations for a given outcome, not only a desirable end result based on the
individual perspective, stimulate the interaction of the event, helping drive
events toward a conclusion. Simply offering a trade proposal,
without really knowing what you want or need from the exchange, rarely leaves
your roster in a better position regarding quality or quantity of players.
Establishing rapport with league members stimulates the process much more than many other factors. Relying on friendships or associations in the league provides better levels of communication than from simply arranging player exchanges with unknown or anonymous individuals. Listen closely to the opinions and statements of others as they provide clear indications of thoughts and patterns regarding player evaluation methods and techniques. As communication remains a two-way street, you cannot simply sit on the sidelines and take notes. Active participation involving a seemingly insignificant issue of today pays dividends for future possibilities. By making your presence felt in a draft league, by friendly exchanges or through providing input on issues, greater horizons of opportunity arise in the future, and this likelihood produces greater freedom and prospects for successfully negotiating a trade.
An important component of any trade negotiation process concerns a stopping point. Even the best of friends or partners cannot reach a mutually beneficial decision. People disagree on a variety of issues, from politics to religion, and there’s no point in endless circular arguments or discussions during a negotiation. Various factors prohibit the reaching of an agreement, even in the best of circumstances. Knowing when to walk away, whether through the cost of the transaction or the time involved in its pursuit, creates a barrier that minimizes unintended consequences or poor trading decisions.
Treat each trade situation as an episode or part in building or maintaining a roster, not as an isolated incident. A single trade doesn’t likely solve every problem or fill every need.
Trading is a win-win situation, not a game for bashing the meek and unfortunate. Making a trade isn’t a zero-sum economic model, where one side wins and the other side loses.
Communication tools represent the difference between moving forward or staying at an impasse. Exhibiting respect and the ability for listening, rather than solely focusing on your own needs, to the other person helps bring a quicker resolution. Often, people respond to their own perception of ideas and events rather than listening to the ideas of other parties.
Use summarization skills at each point in the negotiation process. Restate the offer of your trading partner. This method produces a greater level of clarity in the process. Deals often collapse simply because the two parties have widely divergent perceptions of the perimeters and/or specifics.
Summary
A successful negotiation has numerous routes or possibilities.
Assuming a specific blueprint for success rarely works. The art of
compromise may include the consideration of relevant and irrelevant
items. Staying focused through remembering essential trade
negotiation characteristics helps minimize the rough spots and promotes
resolution in a much quicker, more efficient manner