There is a long list of tools and techniques that can be utilized when an important negotiation, all of them are valid and applicable depending on the circumstances.

But in the first instance, there are 3 key factors that will increase your chances of winning a negotiation in a meaningful way, these are:

1. Information. Must come to the negotiation table with all the possible information about, at least, three important issues:

a. The Problem: Do we know the history of the problem and what is the point where it currently is? If the issue involves technical aspects and unknown things to us, we must use our consultants (friends or whoever) to give us the clarification.

b. Context: We should have information about the area or context in which the problem is being developed (which is not the same as the problem itself) this will help us get a good overview of where and why we are at where we are now.

c. The person with which we’ll negotiate: We must know their history, experiences, in other words, a short biography of the person. Knowing his personality to determine his style of negotiation, and thus establish the kind of negotiating strategy to follow.

2. The Time. We must not only know our time to solve the conflict or to conclude the negotiations, but we must know the time of the other party. If the other party is urged to reach agreement quickly we can spend the time to put pressure on them, or if we have less time to reach an agreement take steps to do it quickly and avoid “losses of time” that may cause the other party.

3. Power. We must start negotiations with a winning attitude! Do not let your confidence level down under any circumstance. Never feel smaller than the other party (even if you are) rely on your strategy.