Negotiation prep sheet

Run a real upcoming negotiation through BATNA + interests + anchor + steel-manned counter + opening + walk-away. The 25 minutes you spend here usually compresses an hour of mid-negotiation guessing into a few minutes of execution.

Run the conversation prep tool

When to use this

Before a real upcoming negotiation — salary, freelance rate, contract, role scope.
When you've avoided a negotiation conversation and want a structured way to walk in prepared.
Quarterly, even when nothing is scheduled — preparation is itself a BATNA-strengthener.

How to complete it

Write the ask in one sentence first. If you can't, you're not yet clear on what you're asking for.
Strengthen the BATNA before the conversation rather than during it.
Steel-man their counter. Most under-negotiators only prepare for the easy version.
Rehearse the opening sentence aloud at least three times before the meeting.

Common mistakes

Skipping BATNA work and walking in weak.
Anchoring with a low number to seem reasonable. Anchor at the top of the defensible range.
Accepting on the spot. Almost every negotiation has a better second offer after sleep.

Negotiation prep sheet

Vinthony Academy · vinthony.com

1. The ask.

One sentence. What you're asking for, from whom, by when.

2. Your BATNA.

Best alternative if this negotiation fails. The floor you'd walk away to. If weak, what would strengthen it?

3. Their interests, not just position.

What do they actually need from this? Budget, timeline, signal, optics, internal politics?

4. Your anchor.

Your first number. Top of defensible range + the justification.

5. The strongest version of their counter.

Steel-man before you respond. Your reply to that strongest version.

6. Your opening sentence.

Word-for-word. Rehearse aloud at least three times before the meeting.

7. Your walk-away line.

What you say if asked to accept on the spot or if pushed below BATNA. Pre-decided.