Negotiation skills training benefits anyone who works out agreements with others, including supervisors setting deadlines, purchasing staff dealing with suppliers, sales teams and employees discussing pay or workloads. The skills apply beyond formal deals, since most workplace conversations about priorities, resources or schedules involve some negotiation.

BATNA is short for the best alternative to a negotiated agreement: the option you will take if the current talks fail. Knowing your BATNA before talks begin tells you when an offer is worth accepting and when to walk away, and a strong alternative gives you more confidence at the table.

Anchoring is the tendency for the first number put on the table to shape the rest of a negotiation. An ambitious opening offer can pull the final result in your direction, while a weak one limits your range. Anchors work best when backed by research so the figure seems credible.

Stay calm in a tough negotiation by preparing thoroughly, knowing your goals and non-negotiables, and treating a 'no' as a starting point rather than a defeat. Slow down, listen actively and use silence to give yourself time to think. Controlling emotions protects your credibility and prevents regrettable concessions.

Yes. Walking away from a negotiation makes sense when the terms fall below your non-negotiables and your fallback option offers a better result. Leaving should be a deliberate decision, not an emotional reaction. Walking away without a solid alternative is risky, so strengthen your fallback options before the conversation begins.