For many reasons, some people enter the negotiations before they are ready. Perhaps they feel pressured to make a deal. Perhaps they believe that they will lose out if they do not strike during the fire still hot. Maybe they do not know any better. Whatever your reason, when you are not ready to negotiate, do not do it.
In future with negotiations when you are not ready perhaps put you in a position that you will regret later. Obviously it depends on the nature of the negotiations as to what quantity of hot water you can get into. The bigger the deal, or more important the transactions, the more reasons to not negotiate until you are really ready.
Often, the reason you are not ready is that you need more time to prepare, or you need additional information from other parties. If the reason you need more time to prepare is that you’ve been lazy, or just simply procrastinating, take the heat for your lack of time management skills and promise to your boss that it will not happen again. It’s easier to apologize for not being ready than it will be for entering a bad deal. If you are negotiating for yourself, you take what you get and learn the lessons for the next time.
What do you tell to others when you are not willing to negotiate? The truth! Tell your counterpart in the negotiations that you are not ready, and offer another date or time that you are ready to proceed. Do not try to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes and make an excuse. Tell the truth that you’re not ready, and let other party know that you are not purposefully putting it off, or trying to gain time.
If you need additional information from other parties, ask for it. Explain why you need additional information to complete your positions and start negotiating. If your opponent in a negotiation do not give you any additional information you need, find out why. The reason perhaps very important factor to consider before making an offering.
If you actually sick, emotionally troubled or somehow otherwise physically or mentally distracted to the point where you can not negotiate effectively, postpone the negotiation till you are clear-headed and focused. You do not want to be taken advantage of when you are not fully in the present and negotiate at your best. So remember, if you are not willing to negotiate – do not do it.