Negotiate Like You Practiced — Because You Did

Help me negotiate a vendor contract. Vendor: [describe]. Current quote: [describe]. My leverage: [alternatives, volume, commitment length]. Target: [X% reduction or specific terms]. Deliver: (1) an opening message that anchors low without insulting, (2) specific asks ranked by priority, (3) concessions I'm willing to make (longer contract, prepayment, case study rights), (4) objection-handling, (5) walk-away conditions, (6) email draft or call script.

Review this contract for negotiation leverage: [paste key terms or describe]. My role: [buyer / seller / partner]. Concerns: [describe]. Identify: (1) unfavorable clauses (indemnification, auto-renewal, liability caps, IP), (2) red-flag language that needs rewording, (3) missing protections I should request, (4) leverage points I can use to change terms, (5) what's boilerplate vs actually negotiable, (6) priority order to negotiate. Flag anything that needs a lawyer.

Help me negotiate a SaaS renewal. Current vendor: [describe]. Current spend: [describe]. Usage: [describe]. Competitive options: [describe alternatives]. Build: (1) a renewal conversation script, (2) specific asks (price reduction, feature unlock, multi-year lock with protection), (3) leverage points (competitor quotes, budget pressure, consolidation), (4) timeline — when to start vs panic, (5) escalation path if my rep can't help, (6) documentation template for legal.

Help me negotiate a scope change with a client. Original contract: [describe]. New request: [describe]. My position: [hold scope / bill change order / partial accommodation]. Deliver: (1) a conversation script that holds the line respectfully, (2) how to say "yes, and here's the cost" (not just "no"), (3) pricing for the additional work, (4) documentation template (change order), (5) preserving the relationship for future work, (6) handling the "we thought that was included" objection.

Help me negotiate partnership terms with [describe partner]. My contribution: [describe]. Their contribution: [describe]. My goals: [describe]. Build: (1) fair split proposal based on value contribution, (2) rights and decision-making clauses, (3) exit clauses (what if it fails), (4) IP and confidentiality terms, (5) non-compete boundaries, (6) a counter-proposal if they push for unfavorable terms. Frame partnership as long-term trust building.

Prepare me for a performance conversation with [describe employee]. The issue: [describe]. Desired outcome: [describe]. Build: (1) the opening (direct, not accusatory), (2) specific examples to cite (not generalizations), (3) the impact on team/business, (4) what I want to change, (5) their space to respond, (6) agreed-upon next steps with dates, (7) written follow-up template. Tone: firm but respectful, solutions-oriented.

Help me write a difficult email about [describe situation — missed deadline, feedback, saying no, changing course]. Recipient: [describe]. Goal: clear communication without damaging relationship. Structure: (1) acknowledge the context without apologizing excessively, (2) state the message directly (1-2 sentences), (3) explain briefly, (4) offer path forward, (5) close warmly. Avoid passive voice, hedging, and walls of justification. Be human.

Help me say no to [describe request]. Context: [describe]. My reason: [describe]. Who's asking: [boss, peer, client, friend]. Deliver: (1) a script saying no in 2-3 sentences, (2) one specific reason (not a list of excuses), (3) alternative if available (but not obligatory), (4) what to do if they push back, (5) variations for written, verbal, and quick response. No apology unless genuinely warranted.

Prepare me for a termination conversation. Situation: [describe]. Documentation I have: [describe]. Severance offer: [describe]. Build: (1) opening 2-3 sentences (direct, no softening that misleads), (2) clear statement the decision is final, (3) logistics (last day, severance, COBRA, references), (4) space for their reaction, (5) handling emotional responses, (6) what NOT to say (legal risk items), (7) post-conversation checklist. Human and firm.

Help me set a boundary with [describe person and context]. The pattern I want to change: [describe]. My desired outcome: [describe]. Deliver: (1) a script that names the pattern without accusation, (2) the specific boundary I'm setting, (3) what happens if boundary is crossed, (4) handling their pushback ("I didn't mean to"), (5) follow-up enforcement, (6) when to escalate. Tone: firm, calm, no rehash of past grievances.

Help me analyze my BATNA (Best Alternative To Negotiated Agreement) for [describe negotiation]. Current situation: [describe]. Deliver: (1) list all my alternatives if this negotiation fails, (2) rank them by attractiveness, (3) the strongest BATNA (this is my walk-away confidence), (4) how to strengthen my BATNA before the negotiation, (5) how to reference (without bluffing) my BATNA during the talk, (6) when to walk. A weak BATNA is the #1 negotiation killer.

Map the ZOPA (Zone of Possible Agreement) for [describe negotiation]. My position: [target + walk-away]. Their likely position: [target + walk-away, estimate]. Deliver: (1) the potential overlap zone, (2) what signals will reveal their real walk-away, (3) how to widen the ZOPA if it's narrow (expand the pie — add variables), (4) creative trades — what each side values differently, (5) opening anchor positioned at the far edge of their expected ZOPA, (6) concession strategy.

Design my opening anchor for [describe negotiation]. Market data: [describe]. My target: [number]. Their likely target: [estimate]. Deliver: (1) a specific opening number that anchors strongly (precise, backed by reasoning), (2) how to deliver it (email, meeting, conversation), (3) the story that justifies the anchor, (4) how to hold firm when they counter-anchor, (5) when to move and by how much, (6) the psychology of why precise anchors outperform round numbers.

Plan my concession strategy for [describe negotiation]. My anchor: [number]. My walk-away: [number]. Deliver: (1) the gap I can concede over (anchor minus walk-away), (2) how to pace concessions (big first, then smaller — never accelerating), (3) what to ask for in return for each concession, (4) linking concessions (bundle A and B), (5) when to hold firm and when to move, (6) verbal markers ("this is a stretch for us" / "I'll need to get approval").

Role-play as my negotiation counterpart in [describe scenario]. Your role: [describe their position]. Style: [hard, soft, collaborative, aggressive]. We'll go 5 rounds: (1) you open with their anchor, (2) I respond, (3) you push back with objection, (4) I counter, (5) you attempt to close. Give me realistic pressure, common tactics (silence, flinch, walk-away threat), and coaching after each round on what worked and what I missed.