Master Negotiation – Strategies for Business & Life

Mastering Negotiation with Derrick Chevalier: Strategies for Success in Business and Life

Welcome back to I Know A Guy, today we meet Derrick Chevalier, a negotiation expert, consultant, and author of the Amazon #1 bestseller Evolve or Be Slaughtered: Negotiation for the 21st Century. With decades of experience in high-level negotiations, Derrick has worked with businesses, professionals, and even the U.S. military to help them refine their strategies for success.

Negotiation is something we all do daily whether it’s in business deals, sales, or even at home with our kids. Derrick shares powerful insights into how modern negotiation has evolved and how professionals can master the art of persuasion to achieve better outcomes.

Derrick Chevalier’s Journey into Negotiation

Derrick’s path to becoming a negotiation expert wasn’t conventional. Initially planning to attend law school, he pursued degrees in political science and theater arts. His career took a turn when he entered high-end sales and real estate, gaining deep insights into human behavior and communication.

However, his real breakthrough came when he met Dr. Chester Karras, a pioneer in negotiation training. Working with Karras for over 15 years, Derrick gained extensive experience facilitating workshops and training thousands of professionals worldwide. This experience led him to develop his own innovative negotiation framework, CNSUF (Context, Negotiation, Strategy, Understanding, and Flexibility), which he now teaches to businesses, entrepreneurs, and organizations.

Why Negotiation Is More Important Than Ever

Many people think of negotiation as something reserved for high-stakes business deals, but Derrick emphasizes that negotiation happens everywhere. Whether you’re discussing pricing with a vendor, closing a sale, or even managing relationships, understanding negotiation tactics can help you achieve better results.

Key Takeaways from the Episode:

✅ Negotiation Is Everywhere – Every interaction has a negotiation component. Whether you're hiring a contractor, asking for a raise, or closing a deal, the ability to negotiate effectively gives you an edge.

✅ Pain Points vs. Benefits – While traditional sales focus on solving pain points, Derrick suggests that businesses should also emphasize the benefits of success. Many people are more motivated by what they can gain rather than what they can fix.

✅ Old Tactics Don’t Always Work – Many negotiation books and strategies were developed before the rise of technology, Zoom meetings, and global business structures. Derrick highlights why modern businesses need updated negotiation strategies that align with today’s fast-moving economy.

✅ Understand Decision Makers – Just because someone holds a leadership title doesn’t mean they have full decision-making power. Effective negotiation requires identifying who truly holds the influence.

✅ Negotiation Is a Learnable Skill – Many professionals rely on experience alone rather than developing a structured negotiation framework. Derrick emphasizes the importance of studying, practicing, and applying proven strategies to achieve better results.

Who Can Benefit from Derrick’s Expertise?

Derrick’s teachings are applicable across industries. He has worked with:

🔹 Entrepreneurs looking to close more deals and gain a competitive edge.
🔹 Sales professionals who want to increase revenue and streamline their negotiation process.
🔹 Executives and business owners who want to secure better contracts and partnerships.
🔹 Procurement specialists looking to reduce costs and improve vendor relationships.
🔹 Everyday professionals who want to enhance their communication and persuasion skills.

How to Start Improving Your Negotiation Skills Today

Derrick shares a simple but powerful negotiation strategy you can start using immediately:

1️⃣ Listen First – Instead of thinking about what you’ll say next, focus on truly understanding the other person’s perspective.
2️⃣ Ask Better Questions – The quality of your questions determines the quality of the negotiation.
3️⃣ Frame the Conversation – Guide the discussion by focusing on both pain points and benefits to create a compelling argument.
4️⃣ Know When to Walk Away – Not every negotiation is worth winning. Understanding your walk-away point can save time and resources.

Final Thoughts & Where to Learn More

Negotiation is one of the most valuable skills anyone can develop whether you're in business, sales, leadership, or even managing personal relationships. Derrick’s insights provide a modern and practical approach to negotiation that can help anyone achieve better deals, build stronger relationships, and maximize success.

Want to connect with Derrick and learn more about his negotiation strategies? Check out his links below:

🌐 Website: www.h-c.com
📖 Book: Evolve or Be Slaughtered: Negotiation for the 21st Century
🔗 LinkedIn: Derrick Chevalier
📸 Instagram: @derrick_chevalier
📘 Facebook: Any Problem Solved

Watch The Full Interview Here

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