Sunday, November 10, 2013

Careers in Negotiations


As the global marketplace becomes increasingly diverse and people from all walks of life find themselves working together more closely than ever before, conflict may be inevitable.

Business leaders who understand the positive aspects of conflict can leverage the power of conflict resolution skills to build better teams, increase productivity and improve communication among employees. Possessing proven negotiation skills can set you apart from the competition and lead to a variety of career paths across industries.

Professional Paths that Utilize Negotiation Training

Negotiation training through a regionally accredited program can be an impressive addition to your leadership skills and may also be a door to its own career. Business leaders often rely on conflict managers to avoid costly litigation. If a career as a conflict mediator or professional conflict resolution consultant interests you, a certificate program in negotiation can be a great first step.

In addition to education, networking through a professional association is another way to make strong connections and build a future in negotiations. The Association for Conflict Resolution offers many excellent resources for networking and other opportunities to gain experience.

Developing strong negotiation skills is valuable for leaders across a range of popular career paths.

Human Resources Professional

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012–2013 Edition, the job market will remain strong for human resources specialists. Employment is expected to grow 21% by 2020, faster than the average for all occupations.

Providing training for junior team members is one way to utilize negotiation skills in the HR sector.

When it comes time to address conflict or other related tensions, the more you know about looking at conflict creatively, and being able to leverage it for a successful outcome, the better your personal performance is likely to be.

Legal Administration

To be effective, administrators in any field learn how to juggle conflict effectively in a fast–paced and detail–oriented setting. Negotiation training can help you gain a solid base for career advancement. Among the topics a reputable training program will likely cover: managing effective confrontations; creating a climate for healthy conflict; and understanding the power dynamics inherent in conflict.

These topics may be particularly useful to legal administrators seeking increased leadership roles in a law firm.

Vendor Manager

Vendor managers can find themselves managing conflict in the gray areas of contracts with vendors or negotiations for more effective delivery services.

Formal negotiation skills training can be put to good use in this area, allowing vendor management partners to find mutually positive solutions.

Sales Professional

An understanding of the landscape of conflict in a sales setting can be a powerful tool to have in your repertoire of sales strategies. When a sales professional feels resistance, it is important to be able to identify the root of the conflict. It could be an internal power struggle between two managers who are on different pages about what they need or it could be that the presentation you made to a midlevel manager is not translating well to the executives.

Having the communication skills and negotiation training to pinpoint the cause of resistance and conflict can turn good sales professionals into great sales professionals.

Negotiating a Path to Success

For professionals looking for ways to keep skills fresh and applicable in a constantly evolving global business environment, developing conflict negotiation skills can be a great asset in securing a competitive edge.

Negotiation training can address many of the needs of professionals across industries, from handling conflict in the workplace to personal negotiations related to professional endeavors. Engaging in lifelong learning and choosing advanced training in areas that address current business trends can show an employer you are invested in your future. It can also demonstrate your commitment to doing what it takes to stay ahead of the competition for yourself and for the organization that employs you.

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