Negotiating skills were put to the practice in this session at the NAFCU Women's Leadership Summit.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — How good a negotiator are you? Do you feel comfortable asking for what you want from your employer, the board, your friends, the credit card company?
Those questions and more were asked of attendees at NAFCU’s inaugural Women’s Leadership Summit during its 45th Annual Conference at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville this week.
SLIDE SHOW: Check out this slide show from the Women's Leadership Summit
“We as women generally don’t ask,” said Nan Siemer, president of Alexandria, Va.–based career consulting firm Breakers.
“I’ve heard women say I’ve been lucky to just have a job or if he knows me he should know what I’m worth. You must ask. When you go to a store and the clerk puts out his hand for your money is he begging? No. Do your research, negotiate on your worth not your need and be willing to walk away,” she told attendees at the Tuesday session.
She added that everything is negotiable and it’s not necessarily about financial reward it could be an educational opportunity or time.
“Think outside the box and shoot for the stars, let them make you an offer you can’t refuse, then maybe compromise,” said Siemer. “A lot of women feel intimidated by just the word negotiate, but say bargain, that they understand.”
She added that negotiation is a game of strategy so it’s important not to show all your cards.
During her session, attendees had an opportunity to practice their negotiation skills. Siemer had them split into groups of four with a bag filled with just two items and attendees had to negotiate for the items they wanted for themselves. Some groups included the bag in their negotiations and opted to split one item and others upped the stakes tossing in offers for a stay at their beach house or trading their drink cards to get the items they wanted.
