NEGOTIATIONS ADVICE FROM AN INDUSTRY EXPERT AND A CHILDHOOD FRIEND - FOTINI ICONOMOPOULOS
“Be prepared to be flexible. Do some brainstorming and come up with solutions instead of trying to stay fixed in one mindset.”
ARTICLE SUMMARY
I invited my childhood friend Fotini Iconomopoulos to meet our team in New York and share her approach to negotiation. The conversation centered on understanding both sides’ motivations, listening carefully and staying flexible, with practical ways to look for creative outcomes instead of getting stuck in one position.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Understand your own incentives and listen to what drives the other side.
Flexibility and creative options can help a negotiation move forward.
I had the honor of flying down a negotiations strategy titan from Toronto to New York to sit down with my team - meet Fotini Iconomopoulos.
Known as “the negotiator,” Fotini’s LinkedIn states, “Today business executives partner with me to achieve their business goals, increase profitability and create a competitive advantage. I empower executives and their teams through my expertise in negotiation, communication and persuasion.” With that potential knowledge to unlock, Ideoli asked “What are your top pieces of advice for creating value?”
Fotini provided three pieces of advice: First she explained, understand what drives both people/groups on either side. This includes you, understand your drive and incentives.
Next, she explained the need to pay close attention. Understand and hear the other people’s/groups’ drives and incentives. And lastly, Fotini suggests getting creative for an innovative outcome. Think outside the box.
When asked if she had anything to add, Fotini stated, “Be prepared to be flexible. Do some brainstorming and come up with solutions instead of trying to stay fixed in one mindset.” So, let’s go forward with an innovative outcome with flexibility to reach that final product!
Fotini Iconomopoulos, a Negotiations Consultant provided three pieces of advice for creating value: understand your drive and incentives, understand and hear their drives and incentives, get innovative for an innovative outcome. Fotini stated, “Be prepared to be flexible. Do some brainstorming and come up with solutions instead of trying to stay fixed in one mindset.”
Chris Hartswick, Fotini Iconomopoulos and George Stroumboulis at Ideoli in New York.
A lighthearted moment with Chris Hartswick, Fotini Iconomopoulos and George Stroumboulis at Ideoli in New York.
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