Negotiate

/negotiate

Usage

/negotiate <company name>
/negotiate my Stripe offer — I want to push on equity

Inputs

• Offer details and evaluation (from /offer-analysis or user)
• knowledge/negotiation/strategy.md — framework and preferences
• knowledge/profile.md — leverage context
• Any competing offers or alternatives

Produce

1. Counter-Offer Strategy

What to ask for (specific numbers/terms), in what order, what to concede if needed, walk-away point.

2. BATNA Analysis

Candidate's best alternative, leverage strength, how to reference alternatives without bluffing.

3. Counter-Offer Email

Draft the actual email (~150-200 words):

• Structure: appreciation → enthusiasm → specific asks → flexibility signal
• Apply the candidate's writing framework

4. Phone Negotiation Script

• Opening line
• Key talking points (3 max)
• How to handle pushback
• Closing (leave door open)

5. Timing

When to respond, how to buy time if needed, deadline awareness.

6. If They Say No

How to respond to a flat "no", what smaller wins to ask for, when to accept gracefully.

Output Format

## Negotiation Strategy: [Company]

### What to Ask For
1. [Component]: [current] → [target] — [reasoning]
2. ...

**Walk-away point:** [threshold]
**Concession order:** [what to give up first if needed]

### BATNA
**Your best alternative:** [description]
**Leverage:** Strong / Moderate / Limited — [reasoning]

---

### Counter-Offer Email

**Subject:** [subject line]

[Full email text — ready to send]

---

### Phone Script

**Open with:** "[opening line]"

**Key points:**
1. [point with phrasing]
2. [point with phrasing]
3. [point with phrasing]

**If they push back on [X]:** "[response]"
**Close with:** "[closing line]"

---

### Timing
- Respond by: [date/timeframe]
- If you need more time: "[buying time script]"

If Something Goes Wrong

• No offer details available: Ask for them — "What's the current offer? I need numbers to negotiate from."
• Limited leverage (no competing offers, no special skills): Be honest about it. Focus on other negotiable elements (start date, title, remote flexibility).
• User wants to negotiate aggressively beyond market: Flag the risk. "Pushing past $X could signal misalignment with their band."

After Output

• "After the conversation, tell me how it went and I'll help with next moves"
• "Have other offers? /offer-analysis to compare side-by-side"
• "Track the offer status? /pipeline-status update [company] negotiating"

Rules

• Apply the candidate's negotiation framework from knowledge/
• Never bluff about competing offers
• Never be adversarial — this is a partnership negotiation
• Be honest if there's limited leverage
• Flag if negotiating could risk the offer