With the stakes set that high I bet an agreement is more likely to be reached. .

             Research your opponent whether it"s your boss or major national account know what their goals are, look for the hot buttons that make them happy. .

             If you"re negotiating make sure your negotiating with the right person. Does this person have the authority to negotiate and make the agreement stick? Never cut a deal with some one who has to "go back and get the boss" approval." Harvey Mackay Swim With the Sharks With out Being Eaten Alive. Go up you opponents ladder as high as you can reach. .

             The Second is setting your goals and limits. Set limits before you negotiate. Knowing what your limits are will allow you to make more rapid decisions during the course of negotiations. BATNA? "Your BATNA is your Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement" I first read this term in Entrepreneurial Edge Magazine then I did some research and found it"s source given to two different parties one being The Harvard Negotiating Institute and the other being. William Ury and Roger Fisher. Getting to Yes I believe the credit goes to both because Ury and Fisher were part of the Harvard Negotiating Project. Anyway what does BATNA really mean; it is the best way to fulfill your needs and interests without the other"s agreement.

             Knowing your limits gives you the strength and confidence to walk away when needed. Try and not back yourself into a corner with no way out. Leave an alternative when ever possible. Having set limits are good but don"t make the bottom line so inflexible that you can"t reexamine someone"s offer in a different light. Knowing when no deal is the best thing for you can be a hard decision at times. What will happen if I can"t reach an agreement? Letting go of the pressure for a deal may lead to another deal down the road. Knowing when to fish or cut bait is important. "There"s always another Deal around the corner." Nelson Bunker Hunt Your goals need to be weighted in terms of importance to you.