profile

Easily Said & Done

Always Be Closing...

Published 9 months ago • 2 min read

Hi Reader,

Firstly, my session at NYPL Monday received rave reviews from attendees. So, if you missed it and want to catch the replay, see the link in the postscript.

As we head into the Memorial Day Weekend here in the states and the unofficial start of summer, I'm thinking back to the time I negotiated with my boss to take a leave of absence from my job to accept an invitation to a writer's retreat in Vermont.

It was amazing, and I still can't believe I was able to swing it and, yes, come back to my job six weeks later and jump right back into the thick of things with no fear of retribution or loss of faith.

There's two reason this situation is on my mind:

Firstly, if you understand how to negotiate, the world of possibilities and opportunities truly opens up to you.

Here are some tips for becoming a better negotiator:

  1. Define Your Non-negotiables First​
    When you understand your 'must haves' and 'can't dos' it's much easier to set expectations and know when to walk away.
    ​
    ​The happiest you'll be with a deal is when you strike it. So if you're not happy in the moment both sides agree, I'd question whether it's really a deal worth making.​
    ​
  2. Silence Is Golden; Get Comfortable With It​
    ​    Often, when I allow my partner at the negotiating table the time and space to keep talking, they start negotiating against themselves or backtrack because my non-response speaks volumes.
    ​
    ​Silence is such an incredible power play and powerful negotiating maneuver I don't know why everyone doesn't employ it, but I'm glad they don't. ​
    ​
  3. Focus on the Win-Win-Win​
    Rather than thinking of your negotiation as an us (me) vs them, set it up as a co-creation to determine the best possible outcome for all involved, including the end-users or beneficiaries of the deal being made.
    ​
    ​By working together to figure out creative trade-offs and value-adds that make the deal work for all you're forging a partnership before you've both signed on the dotted line.

The other reason my former leave of absence is on my mind is because I'm planning on doing something kinda, sorta similar for the next three months, so I can focus on the big changes in my personal life. (See Keep It Moving if you want to know more.)

From next week through Labor Day, I'll only be sending out one email per month, and I'm limiting my posting on social media, too, to create a little more space and sanity for the changes afoot.

I'm still coaching and consulting, so please do reach out to me if you'd like my help with anything in your business.

Honestly, it's the first time I've done anything like this in the 15 years I've been running my own operation, so it's a grand experiment of sorts, and we'll see how it goes.
​

Until next time,

PS - Catch the replay of Stop Selling Yourself Short: Avoid Common Pricing Mistakes before June 18th.
​

​
“
Lauren has a true gift for communication—she not only shares knowledge effectively but also listens with intention and offers insightful, tailored advice.
​
Her guidance helped me put my goals into perspective and build a stronger foundation for growth. I’m truly grateful for her leadership and expertise.
— Janiela Roachford, CEO, Steadfast Construction
​

Your success is our strategy!

​

​Update your profile.

No longer want to receive my newsletter but don't want to miss my special offers and announcements? Click here.
​To completely unsubscribe from all future communications, please opt out below.

Easily Said & Done

Why grow your business alone?

I help entrepreneurs leapfrog over the typical potholes that derail most small businesses with inspiration, motivation, education, and support across a wide range of business topics drawn from over a decade of running my own business, teaching entrepreneurship for the City of New York, and coaching and consulting privately with dozens of women and minority small business owners. Honestly, why go it alone when help is an email away?

Read more from Easily Said & Done
Title: This is NOT Normal; Subtitle: Let's not act like it is!

Hi Reader, Honestly, I was going to writing about something else for my first missive of the new year, but I don’t want to add my voice to those trying to normalize what is not normal. I don’t know about you, but it’s very hard to shut out what’s going on and focus on my to-do list these days. Especially, when every item seems trite and pointless against the much larger issues hitting the news feeds multiple times a day. It’s more than a lot. It’s way too much. So today my message is simple:...

5 days ago • 1 min read
Title: 'Tis Our Time to Shine; Subtitle: In the era of consumer protests

Hi Reader, Right now, there's a consumer 'blackout' movement afoot to, basically, stop buying stuff for the entirety of the Black Friday weekend from corporations. This isn't just happening in the USA, but also in Canada, as a way to protest the current economic climate and policies that are making the wealthy wealthier and squeezing every penny out of the rest of us. Don't forget, there's still active consumer protests against Target, Home Depot, and Amazon, among others, as well. In other...

2 months ago • 2 min read
Title: Head for the Exit; Subtitle: To drive your business growth

Hi Reader, When I teach business growth classes one of the first sessions includes a discussion about Exit Strategies. What most entrepreneurs fail to realize is that how they plan to end their relationship with their business is perhaps even more important than how they start it. Exit strategies are a critical aspect of any business growth plan because the way in which you leave your business shapes key activities, priorities, and decisions all along your path. Some common business exit...

3 months ago • 2 min read