【Negotiation】：Power Words for Successful Negotiation

In the middle of a business negotiation, have you ever felt overwhelmed by the other party’s momentum? Or perhaps, when dealing with overseas suppliers, felt the nagging anxiety of, “What if I get out-talked in English?”

There is a "Power Word" that can quietly shift the tide and steer the discussion back in a constructive direction.

The Power Word for Success

"Please help me understand better, could you please share the data behind your claim"

Why is this phrase so powerful?

This phrase contains two (2) strategic keys to gaining the upper hand:

1. From "Presenter" to "Judge" Instead of casting doubt by asking "Is that true?", you use the positive framing of "wanting to understand." This naturally slides the other party into the role of a "presenter" while positioning you as the "judge"—the one who evaluates and decides.
2. Reclaiming the Initiative By pulling subjective opinions or emotional assertions back onto the objective ground of facts and data, the discussion moves from “opinions” to “evidence.” Once the conversation centers on numbers, the initiative shifts to the party requesting the data.

"What if they actually provide the data?" You might worry about this, but consider this: if they had solid evidence, they would typically have presented it from the start.

Negotiation Tip

In negotiations with Western companies, "Please help me understand..." is a highly sophisticated and frequently used expression. It allows you to challenge the logic calmly without being dismissive. This is the essence of professional negotiation.

This single phrase will elevate your negotiation skills to the next level. Please try it !

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To be continued.
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