Dealing with people is perhaps the biggest reason why negotiations fail, whether it’s with your key suppliers or your internal stakeholders. Both the substance and the conflict must be taken into account when working toward a solution. While face-to-face negotiation seems to be a dying art due to millennials’ lack of interest in personal interaction, it’s still the most important function of a sourcing executive—how are you going to save money if you won’t negotiate? Discuss with your peers how to hone your skills to get the deal you need to get done, done.
• Performing an emotional intelligence review to determine strengths and weaknesses
• Best practices for getting through to suppliers and customers
• Determining the outcome you need, and where you’ll be willing to compromise before negotiation begins