What do you do if your sales negotiation is at a standstill?
When you're deep in the trenches of a sales negotiation and the dialogue suddenly grinds to a halt, it can feel like hitting an unexpected wall. Whether you're trying to close a deal, secure a partnership, or negotiate terms, a standstill can be frustrating and challenging. However, it's not an insurmountable obstacle. With the right strategies and mindset, you can navigate through this impasse and move towards a successful resolution. Here's what you can do to get things back on track when your sales negotiation seems to be stuck in limbo.
Before panicking at the first sign of a standstill, take a moment to assess the situation. A pause in negotiations doesn't always signify a problem; sometimes, it's a natural part of the process. Your counterpart may need time to consider the information presented or to consult with other decision-makers. Use this time to review your negotiation strategy, ensure you've clearly articulated your value proposition, and consider if there's additional information or flexibility that could help move things forward.
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Alex Merutka
CEO & Founder at CRAFTSMAN+
When a sales negotiation reaches a standstill, this is your opportunity to add urgency. Also, if your hands are tied and you can't create real value, creating perceived value is almost as effective.
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Cristian Beltran
When a sales negotiation reaches a standstill, it's important to assess the situation to understand the reasons behind the pause. Consider factors such as the current status of the negotiation, the needs and priorities of both parties, and any potential obstacles or barriers to reaching an agreement. Determine if there are any unresolved issues or concerns that need to be addressed before moving forward. Additionally, assess the level of engagement and commitment from both sides to gauge the likelihood of reaching a resolution. By thoroughly assessing the pause in the negotiation, you can identify opportunities to reengage and move the conversation forward towards a successful outcome.
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Christian Brutzer
CCO, Ivoclar
Stop, reassess and ask yourself if you really understood & respected the others side's needs and if you presented value creating proposals in the negotiation truly addressing those needs.
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Chris Holt
Sr. Account Executive with Novarc Technologies specializing in Pipe Spool Welding Co-bots. ND, SD, WI, MN, NE, IA, KS, MO, MI, OH, IN, KY, IL, WV
When negotiations hit an unexpected pause, I like to remember to "get back to the basics". Take a look back at the original needs of the customer. Have the all been met? Sometimes the only thing that gets in the way of implementing a great solution is the actual decision to move forward in the first place. Pulling triggers can be intimidating especialoy for large investments. In many cases, time is money and if the solution is one with a strong economic impact, what is the cost of doing nothing? A simple reminder as to why the original timeline was agreed upon and what the business impacts are relative to delay, might get them over the hump and back on track.
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Dr. Abhishek Parashar ,Ph.D. AMPPP Indian School of Business
Public Policy, Research , Govt. & Regulatory Negotiation, Liasoning, Advisory and Consultancy | Legal Documentation | Business Strategist | FinTech | Digital Innovations , Payments & Collections Product | Fin Inclusion
Pause may be for a STOP or a slow movement. It requires proper assessment and evaluation as well as competition mapping . However always advisable to stay in connect with the client to get all round information.
Communication is key in any negotiation. If you're facing a standstand, it's crucial to keep the lines of dialogue open. Reach out to the other party with the intention of understanding their perspective and concerns. Ask open-ended questions that encourage them to share more about their hesitation. This not only shows that you're willing to listen but also provides you with valuable insights into what it might take to break the deadlock.
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Preston Milton
Preston from Penske
If we are truly at a standstill, there is something that the customer is not considering or you are not understanding. Letting the customer talk will often reveal information that you can you use to push the negotiation forward.
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Glaucia Gabriele Alustau
Analista de Negócios | Assistente de Vendas | BDR | B2C | B2B | PAP | Consultor de Vendas | Inside Sales | Gestão Escolar | Gestão Comercial
Comunicação e oratória é sem dúvida, a rota principal para se chegar onde deseja, mas para que isso aconteça é preciso efetividade no diálogo, dominância sobre o assunto ou mesmo saber questionar quando não souber. Perguntas fechadas não lhe ajudarão como espera, então, não tenha medo e pergunte sem medo, deixe o bate-papo fluir como deve, só saiba identificar na fala do outro a mensagem que deve ser recebida e identificada por você.
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Michael Rohr
15 Year Wine and Spirits professional with distributor and supplier experience. Current: Midwest Regional Manager - Altos Planos Collective
Maintaining open dialogue shows the customer you want to learn more about them and their needs. The more you continue to ask open ended questions, the more it will get the customer thinking, and the more they think, then you can be successful by providing them with solutions with their answers.
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Cristian Beltran
When a sales negotiation hits a standstill, fostering open dialogue is key to overcoming the impasse. Encourage both parties to express their perspectives, concerns, and objectives openly and honestly. Create a supportive environment where all parties feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. Actively listen to understand the underlying reasons behind the pause and seek clarification if needed. Use open-ended questions to prompt deeper discussions and explore potential solutions collaboratively. By fostering open dialogue, you can uncover common ground, address misunderstandings, and identify mutually beneficial opportunities to move the negotiation forward.
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Lewis Shaw
Independent Mortgage Broker🏠 Rugby🏉Philosophy💭Music🎺 Ex-Forces.
Praying to effigies of Grant Cardone and Gary V should sort it out. If that doesn’t work then it’s back to throwing virgins into wells which is generally a good catch-all if everything else has failed. Or you could just ask the person some questions to find out what’s wrong.
One effective way to overcome a standstill is by presenting multiple options. This strategy can shift the conversation from a binary yes-or-no decision to a more nuanced discussion about preferences and priorities. By offering alternatives that are equally beneficial to you, you give the other party the opportunity to feel in control of the outcome, which can foster a more collaborative environment and lead to a breakthrough in negotiations.
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Shubham Wankhede AIH
LinkedIn Top Voice | Young Global Talent Award | Account Management | Sales Manager | Revenue Optimisation |
As per my experience I like to provide clients with a range of options to consider. This demonstrates flexibility and helps break through any doubts. Offering different packages, pricing structures or service options that align with their needs and budget. By presenting multiple choices I increase the likelihood of finding a solution that satisfies both parties and keeps the negotiation progressing .
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Cristian Beltran
When a sales negotiation reaches a standstill, offering options can provide a fresh perspective and inject momentum back into the conversation. Present alternative solutions or pathways that address the concerns and priorities of both parties. Offer a range of options that vary in terms of scope, timeline, or terms to provide flexibility and encourage exploration. Clearly outline the potential benefits and drawbacks of each option to facilitate informed decision-making. Encourage both parties to consider the options presented and express their preferences or concerns openly. By offering options, you can empower the parties to find common ground and collaboratively navigate towards a mutually acceptable resolution.
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Arthur Soares
Consultor de Vendas | Vendas B2B | Prospecção de Clientes |
Uma estratégia eficaz é explorar diferentes opções de oferta. Aqui está como abordo essa situação: Análise da Situação: Primeiramente, realizo uma análise cuidadosa da negociação para identificar os pontos de bloqueio e as necessidades do cliente. Diversificação da Oferta: Em seguida, busco diversificar a oferta, apresentando opções alternativas que possam atender às necessidades do cliente de maneiras diferentes. Isso pode incluir diferentes pacotes de produtos, serviços adicionais ou até mesmo opções de pagamento flexíveis. Personalização: Adapto as opções de oferta de acordo com as especificidades do cliente, suas preferências e prioridades.
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Talha Awan
Empowering Businesses to Thrive with Custom Mobile and Web Solutions | Tech Lead Generation | Client-Centric IT Partner | Business Development Executive
Brainstorm a variety of potential solutions or options that could address the needs and interests of both parties. Encourage creativity and open-mindedness in exploring alternative approaches. The more options you generate, the greater the chances of finding a resolution that satisfies both sides. If there's confusion or ambiguity surrounding certain issues, seek clarification from the other party. Clear communication is essential for overcoming misunderstandings and finding common ground. Ask probing questions to gain a better understanding of their perspectives and concerns.
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Pablo Penha
Executivo de contas Inovamobil
Quando a negociação paraliza é importante avaliar o motivo. Para isso, comunicação é o caminho. Demonstre que se importa verdadeiramente: Busque entender o impasse existente, explore e apresente soluções alternativas, seja flexível na negociação para chegar a um meio-termo que atenda às suas necessidades de venda e os critérios buscados pelo cliente.
Demonstrating flexibility can be a game-changer in stalled negotiations. It signifies your willingness to find a mutually beneficial solution and can help build trust. However, it's important to balance flexibility with firmness; know your limits and the value of what you're offering. Flexibility doesn't mean conceding on key points but rather finding creative ways to address the other party's needs while still achieving your goals.
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Frank Heitzer
CEO IMPACT Real Estate Group at eXp Realty
As long as the parties communicate, the negotiation is ongoing. Gaining understanding for the pain points may allow for a better strategy to create common ground and move towards the desired outcome
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Glaucia Gabriele Alustau
Analista de Negócios | Assistente de Vendas | BDR | B2C | B2B | PAP | Consultor de Vendas | Inside Sales | Gestão Escolar | Gestão Comercial
Flexibilize sua rotina. Saiba quando pausar e quando recomeçar. Não tenha medo, o que importa é o que irá tirar de lição. Se puder anote os acontecimentos, sem dúvida isso facilitará identificar algo se der errado.
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Cristian Beltran
When a sales negotiation stalls, demonstrating flexibility is essential to overcoming the impasse and moving forward. Show willingness to consider alternative approaches, compromises, or adjustments to your original proposals. Be open to exploring creative solutions that meet the needs and priorities of both parties, even if they deviate from your initial preferences. Communicate your flexibility clearly and proactively, expressing a genuine desire to find a mutually beneficial outcome. Listen attentively to the other party's suggestions and be receptive to feedback or new information that may influence your position.
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Joseph Metz
Skills for Success Coordinator
Sometimes it takes "giving in" a little to get the job done or the goal met. Although we would like it to go our way all the time, life doesn't work that way and you have to be willing to compromise. If you can do that, you will have more success in life and business. Remember you are not infallible and your ideas and vision isn't always the best. It takes all kinds.
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Arthur Soares
Consultor de Vendas | Vendas B2B | Prospecção de Clientes |
Negociações paralisadas são comuns, mas a flexibilidade é crucial. Ao deparar-me com tal situação, adoto uma abordagem aberta e adaptativa, explorando novas ideias e ajustando termos conforme necessário. A personalização da oferta e a disposição para compromissos fortalecem a relação com o cliente. Em resumo, a flexibilidade desbloqueia negociações estagnadas, permitindo encontrar soluções alternativas para o sucesso nas vendas.
Silence can be a powerful tool in negotiations. If you've made your case and presented your terms, sometimes the best action is to wait for the other party to process the information and come back to you. Resist the urge to fill the silence with concessions or unnecessary chatter. Instead, use this time to reflect on the negotiation and prepare for the next steps once the conversation resumes.
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William Cosper
Decorative Plumbing & Hardware Expert | Business Development - A&D Community
Silence can indeed be golden in negotiations. It can prompt the other party to reflect and speak up, possibly revealing more about their priorities or concerns. It’s a subtle way to shift the dynamics of the conversation without applying overt pressure.
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Cristian Beltran
When a sales negotiation hits a standstill, leveraging silence can be a powerful tool to encourage the other party to reflect and reconsider their position. Allow moments of silence during the negotiation to create space for contemplation and decision-making. Resist the urge to fill the silence with unnecessary chatter or concessions. Instead, use silence strategically to signal confidence in your position and invite the other party to share their thoughts or concerns. Be patient and attentive, allowing the other party to break the silence and initiate further discussion. By leveraging silence effectively, you can encourage deeper reflection, facilitate communication, and potentially prompt the other party to move the negotiation forward.
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Darryl Anderson
Regional Sales Manager
I’ve found that sometimes your best bet is to just shut up . An old sales adage is that the first person to talk has lost.. Silence is golden
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Tracy Murphy
Artist
An example I have seen as well as experienced is to use silence to your advantage. If a consumer is interested in your work, they will consider your pricing/offer. As an artist, by discounting your work, it discounts the value of it, as well as future offers/commissions. I price fairly & not inflated, so I can do this in good conscience.
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Martine Fontaine
J'aide les entreprises à récompenser leurs employés, membres ou clients | La Journée déconnexion | Cartes-cadeaux corporatives | Strøm Spa Nordique | Votre partenaire en bien-être corporatif
Silence in negotiation allows for reflection, and can prompt them to reveal more information or reconsider their position...
Always have a Plan B. Knowing your alternatives can give you confidence during a negotiation standstill and can also serve as leverage. If the other party is aware that you have other options, they may be more inclined to move the negotiation forward to avoid losing the opportunity. Your Plan B could be another potential client, a different approach to the deal, or even walking away if the terms are not favorable.
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Glaucia Gabriele Alustau
Analista de Negócios | Assistente de Vendas | BDR | B2C | B2B | PAP | Consultor de Vendas | Inside Sales | Gestão Escolar | Gestão Comercial
Tenha sempre um plano B pra tudo na vida, mas em vendas é preciso criar estratégias e ir testando e aprovando ou descartando. O plano B significa que você está preparado pro que vier a acontecer diferente daquilo que você espera.
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Duncan Wakhu
Sales & Service Industrial Boilers- Africa
Another excellent tool that can be used to leverage in case of a standstill negotiation is the use of referrals, user lists or success stories. These can be used to reassure customers who may be worried about paying for products and services that they may not have tried before. Use referrals and success stories which discuss the financial savings that your solutions have provided for your clients
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ANKUR BINDAL
Founder : Trip Studio® | Travel Studio Co-Owner : Bindal Agency | Bindal Marketing | B&B Tea Company | DRB Marketing Expertise : Aviation | Visa | FMCG
In such a situation I would take a pause, reassess the entire situation. First I would try to identify, is the product solving the problem for the other party. For example I am in travel industry, where we face roadblocks quite a time. I pause, reflect and explore innovative options whether it is refining packages, customise itineraries and re do the dialogue. Hope that helps!
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Mohamed Mohiey
Key Account Manager at Luye Pharma group | MBA student
One thing I have found helpful in ,the negotiation when it is standstill, is starting to offer your alternatives and try to find alternatives for the negotiation if you don’t have , because the power of the negotiator comes from the power of his/her alternatives . When the other side finds the power of your alternatives he will move forward to the negotiation avoiding the losing of the opportunity and letting you go to another alternative. It is called the power of the BATNA ( Best alternative to a negotiated agreement ).
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Daniela L.
Gerente Geral Empresas Conquista
Plan B. sells more to those who offer more, if you show your products to more different customers your portfolio increases, so you are not stuck waiting for a response from a single buyer, and you will have greater flexibility without putting pressure on those who will buy.
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Tanmay Vaishya
Bid Manager-Energy Transition, DeCarbonization, (CCUS, Green H2) Turbomachinery & Recip Compressors, Gas Turbine, Steam Turbine. #Ex-GE #Six Sigma #SME Turbo
1) Offer Value to client by highlighting why your product is better than others and it is not always Price but also life cycle and service quality. In Turbomachinery most important thing is reliability and availability. One additional downtime means millions of dollar in lost production. 2) Propose options: which will help customer to choose the scope as per their budget but still with same quality and Brand. 3) Openly discuss with customer and try to push internal organization to reduce cost,take support from sub vendors. 4) Keep Patience. Customer also has internal processes if they want to go beyond budget. Give them reasons and points which will help them to convince their management 5) If you have tried all then keep quiet & wait
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Syed Faizan Ahmad
OD Consultant ✍️ & Executive Coach 🎯 | Facilitating fun-filled, highly engaging and experiential learning-based learning interventions for employee development & upskilling 📚 | Sales Enablement Leader 👷 |
Stalled negotiations are not dead ends; they're opportunities. By combining empathy, creativity, and persistence, you can breathe life back into the discussion. Remember, every negotiation is a dance, a delicate balance of assertiveness and collaboration. So, lace up your negotiation shoes, adjust your rhythm, and waltz toward a fruitful resolution
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Clint LeRoy
Problem Solver / Innovator / Investigative Technologist / Humanitarian / Performance-Enhancement
I have been in and out of sales for the last 40+ years. In the early days, my sales were a soft sales. Once I got past the initial cold call and classified or clarified the customer to be, it was easy sailing, just becoming their friend and earning their trust. This was the first 10 years trying to make a sale initially on the first call after understanding that you are a complete stranger and trying to wiggle yourself into a persons interest I would say it takes time, a lot more time than you are expecting. In the initial relationship that you’ve developed from that initial phone call as the cold caller. It’s going to take you 5 to 6 more times of continuous furthering of the relationship till trust can be earned.
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Amine El Younoussi
Ultrasound Clinical Application Specialist - Francophone Africa
It's often helpful to draw upon past experiences or case studies where similar challenges were overcome. For instance, if you've encountered a similar impasse before and successfully resolved it through innovative solutions or by reframing the conversation, sharing those insights with your team or seeking advice from industry peers could provide valuable perspectives. Additionally, leveraging data analytics or market research to identify trends or preferences can inform your negotiation strategy and potentially unlock new opportunities for collaboration. Remember, every negotiation is unique, but drawing upon collective wisdom and diverse perspectives can often lead to breakthroughs even in the most challenging situations.
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St John Craner
►Rural Sales and Marketing Training & Trainer ► Rural Marketing /Agribusiness Agency Owner ► Podcaster ► Author ► Sales Coach & Speaker ► Media Commentator ► Kellogg Scholar
If your sales negotiations are at a standstill there could be a number of reasons why. One of the big ones being a lack of clarification and understanding of their specific buying process Often sales reps assume the sale is a done deal but cannot offer any insight into what the buying process and buying committee is. Another factor might be not having properly qualified the prospect during the initial sales conversation to understand or establish urgency or priority. My advice would be to work hard and make sure you have more prospects and options in your pipeline to avoid you relying on one sale. That way you put yourself in a better position when it comes to negotiation knowing you too have options. -