What are the actionable takeaways from the book 'Bargaining for Advantage: Negotiation Strategies for Reasonable People' for individuals who want to improve their negotiation skills?

The book "Bargaining for Advantage: Negotiation Strategies for Reasonable People" has significantly influenced corporate negotiation strategies by debunking the myth that only competitive, cut-throat individuals can be successful negotiators. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration, listening, and thorough preparation and research. The book suggests that understanding the needs and wants of the other party is crucial to effective negotiation. It also introduces the idea of considering alternate routes other than negotiation to resolve conflicts, depending on the situation. These insights have led many corporations to reevaluate and refine their negotiation strategies.

Potential obstacles companies might face when applying negotiation strategies could include lack of preparation, inadequate understanding of the other party's needs and wants, and a tendency to resort to competitive, rather than collaborative, tactics. Overcoming these obstacles involves thorough preparation and research, understanding the other party's needs and wants, and fostering a collaborative rather than competitive environment. It's also important to remember that negotiation isn't always the best route to resolve a conflict, and other methods such as influence or persuasion might be more effective in certain situations.