Negotiations have undergone a transformation due, to the Coronavirus pandemic. While its tempting to focus on the challenges it brought it’s important to acknowledge the aspects it introduced to the negotiating process. Many people experienced a shift from in person meetings to interactions, which turned out to be transformative. Long commutes were replaced by connectivity resulting in cost savings for organisations and sometimes even increased productivity. Managers also benefited from not being tied down by travel.

In the world of negotiations these changes can be advantageous and lead to more successful deals. There is a contrast between a phone call and a video conference. While brevity has its advantages building a connection over the phone can be challenging. Visual cues are missing, making it harder to establish trust – something that’s crucial in negotiations. Ultimately face to face interactions remain vital.

Non verbal gestures such as eye contact and para-verbal signals play a role in forming connections. Fostering collaboration within companies. They also influence outcomes in sales negotiations, including resource allocation decisions. Both genders agree that visual contact enhances face, to face communication effectiveness.
However, there are challenges when it comes to navigating negotiations. Without the encounters that happen naturally in office spaces the process loses out on the exchange of ideas that often leads to more effective problem solving.

During a video conference the interface tends to reduce participants to their talking heads or torsos which means we miss out on the cues conveyed through body language. It’s also difficult to establish eye contact when using a camera positioned on top of a monitor. This slight misalignment can make it harder to build rapport an aspect of trust building.

On top of that technical glitches and security concerns add another layer of complexity. Participants may struggle with issues related to microphones, cameras or their computers which can prevent them from engaging in the realm. Additionally there’s always the risk of security breaches, like zoom hacking or unwanted intrusion by non employees. These factors highlight the limitations of an environment for some employees.

To overcome these obstacles and turn them into advantages here are some steps you can take;

1. Start with Talk; Kick off your meetings by engaging in conversations about personalities and individuals involved in the session. This helps create a sense of authenticity. Makes everyone feel less like they’re just, in a meeting.
2. Pay Attention to Your Environment; Remember that effective communication goes beyond exchanging words. Take into account your background and any movements happening around you.
3. Promote Inclusivity; Encourage a variety of perspectives, within your team.. Appreciate contributions and interactions motivating even those who are more reserved to participate actively.
4. Ensure Active Engagement; Request participants to adjust their cameras and ensure they can be seen and heard. This reinforces the idea that there are established norms and boundaries in the space.
5. Prioritise Security and Stability; Address any security concerns promptly. Create an environment where individuals feel sharing information. Ensure a infrastructure and consider using alternative channels for particularly sensitive discussions.
6. Get Familiar with the Technology; Familiarise yourself with the video conferencing platform beforehand. Make sure all participants have an internet connection to facilitate smooth engagement.
7. Thoroughly Prepare for Negotiations; Approach negotiations with the level of thoroughness as face to face meetings. Understand who will be present how interactions will unfold, which communication tools will be. Ensure all relevant documents are easily accessible, in the realm.

By recognising the presence of COVID 19 and potential future pandemics these steps become crucial in positioning businesses to succeed in the landscape.