>negotiations, there are plenty good books out there.
Such as? As a programmer that can't negotiate a decent salary/consulting rate I would find this useful.
Such as? As a programmer that can't negotiate a decent salary/consulting rate I would find this useful.
We all need a little bit of "I'm good and I'm worth it." Some maybe more than others. Negotiations are all a mental game. People will pay anything for what they feel is worth it, it's your job to frame what a service of product is worth.
The basic problem is that whether due to culture or nature we tend to approach transactions as zero sum games (aka distributive), ie if I get something you must lose something. Negotiation is about thinking in terms of widening the pie, ie creating a win-win for all (integrative). Even in situations where it can appear there is no win-win, there often is.
Want a better rate? determine the value of what you are bringing to your client, then price your service accordingly. If they balk, then you make your case based on your analysis.
The text we used in class is this: http://www.amazon.com/The-Mind-Heart-Negotiator-Edition/dp/0...
I believe it is suitable for pretty much anyone who can read.
That'll help the soft skills, but in a hiring situation, the other part is getting to what the other side really wants and what their concerns are. A hiring manager's first thoughts are: "how much babysitting is this person going to take?" and "will s/he mess up team mojo?" Don't be that person, be the net go-giver that makes 'em shine... Less talk, more walk.
Minor nitpick: it's balk (or baulk)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Best_alternative_to_a_negotiate...
You should never lead a negotiation with your BATNA because then your counterpart is only going to give up the absolute minimum above your BATNA, thus depriving you of all the surplus.