Make a clear list of Important items affecting cost and schedule and discuss them. Make list of showstoppers and prioritise discussion Prepare a DRAFT MOM before going for discussion

Set Clear Expectations: Openly communicate your team's capacity and realistic timelines. Be transparent about what can be expedited and where compromises may be necessary. Prioritize Key Terms: Focus on the most critical contract terms that significantly impact the deal. Prioritize these for immediate negotiation, streamlining the process. Active Communication: Maintain open and frequent communication with the client throughout the process. Keep them informed of progress, potential roadblocks, and any necessary adjustments to the timeline. Compromise and Flexibility: Be willing to compromise on less critical terms to meet the client's timeline, while safeguarding your core interests.

Actually , in a way it’s good as you would keep locking the volumes & if client is pushing it , he / they are insecure on supplies or their is shortage Both the scenarios are good for you & you can have better terms/ pricing with early negotiators & since the volumes are booked already , you can freely negotiate for remaining open capacities to your advantage Definitely can be turned in favor of the suppliers by treading carefully

Clearly identify and communicate which terms are essential and non-negotiable. This minimizes back-and-forth on key points. Be transparent with the client about the time required for a thorough review. Highlight how rushing could increase risks for both parties. Focus on the most impactful terms first, such as payment schedules, deliverables, and liabilities. Leave less critical clauses for later. Establish a clear communication channel and designate decision and if both parties agrees, we both agree. It needs to be signed ASAP and no more back-and-forth. From future deals, even if both parties are happy. They still take their time to sign.

In fast-paced contract negotiations, it's crucial to balance efficiency with thoroughness to protect your interests. To manage client expectations effectively: Set Clear Boundaries: Communicate upfront about which terms can be expedited and which require detailed discussion. Prioritize Key Terms: Focus on essential contract elements first to address critical issues promptly. Use Standardized Templates: Employ pre-approved contract templates to streamline the negotiation process.

Some argue, especially those well-versed in neuro-linguistic programming, that negotiating quickly and under pressure is an art. Perhaps it is. However, successful negotiation often requires a deep understanding and sensitivity to the other party—something that is not always possible to achieve without some time. A skilled negotiator knows when to move quickly to drive results, and when patience and calm will be the best approach to securing an optimal agreement. What should not influence this decision is the client. The client’s sense of urgency or anxiety should not become the driving force, as it could cause the negotiator to overlook key strategies and the tools essential for success.

"We are in a hurry, let us proceed slowly" Assuming the desire for speed is legitimate, it makes sense to prioritize issues, and I like to put the biggest and most probable risks first. By shifting the contract discussions to risks to be mitigated and managed, and focusing on the most pressing, you will easily see when you have covered the key issues that must be addressed. As you work through them, many of the lesser risks can be covered by the same terms. Once the remaining risks are acceptable to both parties, the contract should be at a reasonable level of risk. Spend just enough time, not too much.