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

Using Negotiations Daily

What made the experience of listening to The Art of Negotiating the Best Deal the most enjoyable?

I really read this book to help in my business dealings, but quickly found that negotiations are something we use everyday. The book outlined principles that the author applies to family, friends and business because working things out for both parties is always the best.

Very well done!

Any additional comments?

I went through the course quickly and effortlessly also thanks to Professor Freeman's human touch. I found it to be a very stimulating course and I have started benefiting from it since the next day at my first meeting. Then I found out it surprisingly useful with my partner and with my teenage son. I will go through the course again.
I recommend these lectures to whoever doesn't live on an island by himself...!

Enlightening and inspiring

I’ve read a few books on negotiating and this is by far the most original piece I’ve encountered, perhaps even the most original business-related book. Filled with great content and quite relatable stories, this book approaches negotiating from a very different perspective than I’ve ever known and is narrated wonderfully.

Comprehensive and insightful

Got a lot from the course. The course provides good life lessons beyond just learning negotiating skills.

Negotiating that matches my style

Professor Freeman's approach on negotiating was perfect for an individual that wants to show that they truly want to mutually gain while negotiating and show respect to the other negotiator. I recommend this book to all negotiators that have common decency and want to really work with the other party. This is an introductory course and can go into much more detail, but it is a very good starting point.

Want to buy the author's book.

Want to buy the author's book after listening to the course. I think a short 'summary' book would supplement this great course well.

One of the best great courses

Really great examples, clear structure, applicable content.

As soon as I finished I wanted to start again from the beginning.

Learned A Lot

Enjoyed the concepts taught and I believe I can use some of the techniques featured in my own situation.

great lectures.

there's a lot to learn here. i plan on listening to this repeatedly to soak in more of the information. good stuff.

Excellent

This was one of my favorite narrators! the lessons and stories were extremely beneficial when applied to areas of confrontation where negotiation was desperately needed. This stuff works!!