The Art of Negotiating the Best Deal

By: Seth Freeman, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Seth Freeman

Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Negotiation is a big part of life - from buying a car or a house, taking a new job, or working out a serious conflict. Yet it's easy to believe we're usually at a disadvantage - that others are born negotiators, while we are not. Nothing could be further from the truth. Negotiation is a skill that just about everyone can learn to do well.

Presented by a master negotiator, these 24 lectures teach you how to approach all phases of a negotiation and deal with a wide range of problems. Professor Freeman shows you how to negotiate effectively in both competitive and collaborative situations. You learn the art of handling sharp tactics, haggling, psychological traps, and other challenges, while always being "hard on the problem and soft on the person" - which is the key to achieving a mutually beneficial outcome.

The course is organized around a mnemonic device, developed by Professor Freeman, that can serve in any negotiation situation. Called "I FORESAW IT," this indispensable framework guides you in assembling the strongest possible case, showing you how to evaluate such factors as creative options, independent criteria, and your best alternative to a negotiated agreement. Professor Freeman enriches his presentation with scores of fascinating anecdotes and case histories that vividly demonstrate what works and what doesn't when you sit down at the negotiating table.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2014 The Great Courses (P)2014 The Teaching Company, LLC

Tops, the most useful book that I own.

I am going to buy multiple copies of this to give as gifts. And I'm putting the skills that I learned into practice later today.

l love this book

its great book
it gives me a lot of assistance and thoughts
thank you 😊 💓

Well organized!

Professor Freeman did an outstanding job of laying out the groundwork, in a well organized fashion, of how to effectively negotiate. Thoroughly enjoyed the book lecture series.

Great info in a time capsule

Having read many books over the last 30 years on negotiations, this course brings together some of the very best approaches to negotiating in an organized and logical progression. Whether you are new to developing these skills or an experienced negotiator this course works to teach and/or refresh what you may have forgotten.

Awesomely surprised

I loved the topic of this book but I didn't expect it to be so engaging. I loved listening, the speaker is great, and I learned lots.

informative

this definitely address and added to the many questions that I missed out growing up. negotiation is so vital from the day you first reason with your parents to the day you have explain for what you have done in life.

Overall helpful and insightful course

Overall, the course was a good primer into the world of negotiation. As he was explaining concepts you realize you have probably used most of these devices and tactics before but now you can put a name to them. There are definitely many good pieces of advice to use going forward but I will have to refresh myself on them from time to time like he suggests at the end of the book.

The worst part was his constant stuttering. It was like he was reading word for word and would lose his place. Very distracting. I also wish he had used more examples especially in the beginning chapters when he is defining concepts. I felt he also missed a big opportunity to discuss haggling and bartering practices/requirements in other cultures especially the Middle East and southeast Asia where it is expected and is seen as an insult to refuse.

excellent and well delivered. a joy to listen to

there's so much great knowledge and in this course. I recommend it to every one

Speaker was amazing and spoke with such compassion

Learned the power of being Respectful , professional and mature and how to deal with our own emotions in not only business but all relationships of life - really life changing !

A master course on negotiation

Where does The Art of Negotiating the Best Deal rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love The Great Courses, and this new title has been no exception. I'm a veteran negotiator myself, and studied negotiation many years ago in graduate school, so I wasn't sure if listening to this would add anything new. Of course I should not have underestimated The Great Courses.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Art of Negotiating the Best Deal?

A friend asked me if this course was more for professionals or for personal enrichment. I had to think about it. Could the course be equally valuable for both? The answer is a clear yes. For professionals, Professor Freeman provides detailed strategies and tactics for preparing for and conducting complex negotiations ranging from major business contracts to international peace treaties. And yet... he also takes care to apply all of these principles to the simplest of personal situations, with examples such as shopping for cars or dealing with the desk clerk when you check into a hotel and it's overbooked.

What about Professor Seth Freeman’s performance did you like?

Professor Freeman is a natural -- offering the perfect blend of authoritative research and compelling illustrative examples and anecdotes to help make the information both relevant and sticky.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

This is a long title -- with 24 lessons clocking in at over 12 hours. The listener would be advised to pace yourself so that you can reflect on each of the lessons.

Any additional comments?

Like most of The Great Courses, this is the audio version of a title that they sell on video format, with companion guidebooks. However, I did not feel like I was missing anything by listening via Audible.com.