62 Useful Phrases For Negotiating - Business English (FREE E-Phrasebook)

Summary

In this 'English for Professionals' lesson, Derek teaches essential phrases for negotiation in English. The video covers welcoming and relationship-building phrases, establishing negotiation procedures, stating positions, expressing priorities, seeking clarification, making proposals, questioning, and counter-proposing. It also discusses agreement, bargaining, compromising, delaying tactics, and concluding negotiations. Derek suggests watching his business meetings lessons for further insights.

Takeaways

• 😀 **Welcome and Relationship Building**: Start with phrases like 'Welcome to [Company Name]' and 'It's great to finally meet you in person'.
• 🗣️ **Small Talk**: Engage in small talk to build rapport, asking about the trip or if it's their first time in the area.
• 📋 **Establishing Procedure**: Suggest a procedure for negotiation, such as outlining positions and discussing in detail.
• 📊 **Stating Your Position**: Clearly state your main points or areas of discussion to set the agenda.
• 🔍 **Expressing Priorities**: Highlight your main priority or the most important issue for your side.
• 🤔 **Asking for Clarification**: If unclear, ask for clarification using phrases like 'Could you please clarify your position on...'.
• 📈 **Making a Proposal**: Start proposals with 'Our proposal is to...' or 'We propose...'.
• 🔄 **Bargaining and Compromising**: Show flexibility with phrases like 'We would be prepared to... if you could...'.
• ⏱️ **Delaying**: If more time is needed, communicate that clearly, 'I think we'll need more time to consider these options...'.
• 📝 **Expressing Agreement**: Use phrases like 'We can agree to that' or 'That sounds reasonable' to show consensus.
• 📖 **Concluding the Negotiation**: Summarize the agreement, finalize details, and look forward to future cooperation.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the video script provided?

The purpose of the video script is to teach English phrases for negotiating in a business context, aimed at busy professionals.

What does the instructor suggest to do at the beginning of a negotiation?

The instructor suggests starting with small talk and relationship building, using phrases like 'Welcome to [company name]', 'It's great to finally meet you in person', or 'I hope you had no trouble finding your way here'.

How does the instructor recommend establishing the procedure for negotiation?

The instructor recommends establishing the procedure by suggesting a sequence of steps such as outlining positions, presenting proposals, discussing details, and exploring options.

What phrases are provided for stating one's position during negotiations?

Phrases for stating one's position include 'There are four main points we need to discuss', 'Our main priority is', and 'The most important issue for us is'.

How can one ask for clarification during negotiations?

To ask for clarification, one can use phrases like 'I'm not exactly sure if I understood your position on this', 'Would you mind going over it again', or 'Could you please clarify your position on'.

What are some ways to make a proposal in a negotiation?

Ways to make a proposal include saying 'Our proposal is to', 'We'd like to propose', or 'We suggest'.

What phrases can be used to express disagreement or reservations about a proposal?

Phrases to express disagreement or reservations include 'I'm afraid we can't agree to that', 'I'm sorry but we can't quite agree with you on that', and 'I'm not sure that would work for us'.

How does the instructor suggest bargaining and compromising during negotiations?

The instructor suggests bargaining by stating one's willingness to do something in exchange for a concession, using phrases like 'We would be prepared to offer a discount if you could increase your order'.

What phrases are recommended for delaying decisions in negotiations?

For delaying decisions, phrases like 'I think we'll need more time to consider these options' or 'I'm afraid I'm not in a position to make this decision myself' are recommended.

How should one express agreement during negotiations?

Agreement can be expressed with phrases such as 'We can agree to that', 'That sounds reasonable', or 'I think that would be acceptable'.

What are some phrases to conclude a negotiation?

To conclude a negotiation, one might say 'Let's sum up everything we've agreed on today', 'It looks like we have a deal', or 'Let's get this in writing'.

What tip does the instructor give for further improving negotiation skills?

The instructor suggests checking out the business meetings lessons on YouTube for additional content that can be helpful for negotiation.