/negotiate

/sales:negotiate

If you see unfamiliar placeholders or need to check which tools are connected, see CONNECTORS.md.

The Negotiation Advisor is your real-time deal closer. It helps you navigate high-stakes conversations, handle pricing pressure, and "teaching" customers to buy.

It integrates Tactical Empathy (Never Split the Difference) with Commercial Teaching (The Challenger Sale).

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Usage

/sales:negotiate "Price is too high"     # Objection Handling
/sales:negotiate script "Procurement"    # Script Generation
/sales:negotiate roleplay "CFO Battle"   # Simulation Mode

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How It Works

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    NEGOTIATION ADVISOR                            │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  STANDALONE (always works)                                        │
│  ✓ Script Generation: Exact words for "Price too high" etc.      │
│  ✓ Roleplay Dojo: AI simulates the tough buyer (CFO persona)     │
│  ✓ Trade-off Engine: "If I give X, I get Y" logic                │
│  ✓ Tactical Empathy: Labeling and Mirroring guide                │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  SUPERCHARGED (when you connect your tools)                       │
│  + ~~CRM: Pull history to customize negotiation leverage         │
│  + ~~email: Draft counter-offers directly in your draft folder   │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

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/sales:negotiate "Price is too high"

Objection Handling. Generates 3 graded responses based on the deal stage and relationship.

Output Example

NEGOTIATION PLAYBOOK — Handling: "Price Pushback"

DIAGNOSIS
They are likely testing your confidence.
Remember: Price objections are usually "Value Objections" in disguise.

LEVEL 1: THE SOFT TOUCH (Discovery Stage)
Goal: Uncover the real blocker.

> "It sounds like you're under a lot of pressure to keep the budget down. What happens if this problem doesn't get solved this quarter?"
> (Labeling the emotion + Negative consequence question)

LEVEL 2: THE TRADE (Negotiation Stage)
Goal: Defend value.

> "We can definitely get to that number. However, we'd need to remove the [Premium Support] and the [Unlimited Users]. Is that a trade-off you're comfortable making?"
> (Forces them to choose features over price)

LEVEL 3: THE CHALLENGE (Closing Stage)
Goal: Reframe the ROI.

> "I understand. But let's look at the cost of doing nothing. You mentioned [Problem X] is costing you $10k/month. Our solution is $2k/month. Is saving $500 really worth delaying the solution?"

Select Level 1, 2, or 3 to generate the full email draft.

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/sales:negotiate roleplay "Specific Scenario"

Simulation Mode. The AI acts as the toughest buyer you'll face.

Agent Instructions (Roleplay)

def start_roleplay(scenario):
    # 1. Set Persona
    print("ENTERING DOJO MODE. I am the CFO of Acme Corp.")
    print("My Personality: Skeptical, numbers-driven, hates 'fluff'.")
    print("Your Goal: Get me to agree to a follow-up meeting.")

    # 2. First Challenge
    response = ask("So, I looked at your proposal. It's 3x what we budgeted. Why should I keep reading?")

    # 3. Evaluate User Reply
    while conversation_active:
        user_reply = input()
        score = evaluate_reply(user_reply, criteria=["Empathy", "Firmness", "Clarity"])

        if score < 5:
            print(f"WEAK. You sounded defensive. Try asking: '{Voss_Question}'")
        else:
            print("GOOD. I feel heard. Proceeding...")
            react_as_cfo(user_reply)

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Tactics Library

1. The "Accusation Audit" (Start of Call)

Anticipate their negatives.

"You're probably going to think this is expensive. You're going to think I'm just another salesperson trying to hit quota." -> Disarms them instantly.

2. The "No-Oriented Question"

People feel safe saying "No".

Bad: "Is this a good time to talk?" (Triggers "Yes" commitment anxiety) Good: "Is now a bad time to talk?" (Easy "No" -> Conversation starts)

3. The "Calibrated Question" (How/What)

Force them to solve your problem.

"How am I supposed to do that?" (When they ask for a crazy discount)

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Agent Instructions (General)

Deal Context Loading

# Always check deal value before advising
deal_info = lookup_deal(profile.current_deal)

if deal_info.value > 100000:
    mode = "High_Stakes"
    advice = "Slow down. Build consensus. Do not rush."
else:
    mode = "Transactional"
    advice = "Create urgency. Close today."

Antislop Check

• Banned Phrases: "Touching base", "Checking in", "Thoughts?", "Win-win".
• Replace with: "Any updates on X?", "Is this project still a priority?", "Does this align?"

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Tips

1. Don't Split the Difference: Meeting in the middle is lazy and leaves money on the table. Trade value, not dollars.
2. Anchor High: If you have to name a price first, anchor high (extreme anchor) to make your real price look reasonable.
3. Silence: Use it. After you state your price, stop talking.

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Skills Used

• negotiation-advisor — The core tactics database.
• roleplay-dojo — The simulation engine.
• financial-health — ROI calculator for "Cost of Inaction".