Take It or Leave It

Laying down a final offer can get you what you want.

By Marc Diener • Jul 1, 2005

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Two situations call for final offers: when you can't do anybetter, or when it'll force the other side to close quickly.Either way, choose your words carefully. You don't want to boxyourself in. A good all-purpose delivery: "This is the best Ican do under the circumstances." It is final, but leaves roomfor change.

If you're receiving a last offer, be sensitive tobrink-manship. Test a "take it or leave it" tooaggressively, and an opponent may dig in their heels just to saveface.

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