I am back after a long absence. The progress on my e-book program stalled because of unforseen reasons. I think it will eventually get done.

Lately I have been honing my negotiation skills and have already managed to save a couple of thousand of dollars for my company. Sometimes it is very easy, you just have to have the guts and confidence to do it. When I have to choose a vendor, I flinch at the initial proposal. Always. No matter how good the deal is. I tell them “gee, that’s really expensive. I don’t think we can afford it at this price.” And I prepare to walk away. Usually, the vendor makes a lower offer right away, but if I get a sense that they may be a tougher negotiator, I usually make a lower proposal (that I don’t expect to get, you have to make consessions in order for the other side to feel like they have won something). I might get it, but most often I don’t. However, in 99% of the cases I do get the vendor to make a concession.

Negotiating is a game.