Ricky Trinidad, the President of Metrovitalization, a sustainable planning, development, and construction company in Pennsylvania, believes that the word “no” in business negotiations can be a relationship killer. He has 27 years of experience in real estate development, construction, and other business dealings, and he thinks that finding a strategic way to say “yes” instead of “no” can be more profitable in the long run.
Trinidad shares a profitable approach that he has used in his own experiences. The core concept is to avoid definitive rejections to keep relationships warm and options open for future collaborations. By maintaining dormant connections, opportunities can arise months or even years down the line. He shares five key strategies he has used for saying “yes” instead of “no, along with examples of how this strategy has benefited his business.
One of his strategies is to say “yes” to proposals, even if they are not initially appealing. By considering the proposal, opportunities for collaboration and partnerships can arise in the future. Keeping options open and exploring creative financing arrangements can lead to valuable connections and new business opportunities. Trinidad also emphasizes the importance of staying in touch with potential business partners and not burning any bridges by saying “no” outright.
Trinidad’s approach also includes making connections with other professionals in the industry, such as office neighbors or sales representatives. By staying open to meeting new people and learning about their businesses, opportunities for collaboration can arise when needed. Additionally, he suggests piloting offerings or products on a trial basis before committing, which can lead to long-term partnerships and cost-effective solutions.
In summary, Trinidad believes that diplomatically saying “yes” instead of “no” in business negotiations can lead to valuable opportunities, services, relationships, and revenue streams. While there are exceptions where an immediate “no” is necessary, in typical business situations, keeping possibilities open can be invaluable. By strategically leaving doors open instead of permanently closing them, businesses can unlock new opportunities and potential paths for growth.
