Some detailed important do's and don'ts while conducting negotiations are given hereunder. 

Do's: 

• Know your authority as a negotiator and that of your counterpart. 
• Get the other side to commit first. 
• Prepare a memorandum of what happened after each negotiation. Also prepare interim summaries as agreement is reached on individual issues. 
• Use your team of experts. 
• Be patient. Remember the 80-20 rule. 80% of the concessions are given in the last 20% of the negotiations. 
• Understand how to interpret body language.  
• Ask open-ended questions if you want information. Invariably, a question which demands a „yes? or „no? answer cannot be followed up or reopened for discussions. 
• Be an active listener. 
• Ask for more than you expect to get. It gives you more negotiating room. 
• Position the most difficult questions last. You are more likely to get concessions as negotiations drag on. 

Don'ts

• Never give up chunks of negotiating room upfront. 
• Never reveal your position, strategy or tactics to anyone outside those who absolutely need to know. ?  Do not make concessions without getting something in return. 
• Do not try to become well liked or popular with  the other side during negotiations. 
• Never allow more than one person to talk at one time. 
• Do not allow your team to be separated even during breaks or lunch. 
• Never let the other side see disagreements among your team members. 
• Avoid entanglement on personal issues. 
• Do not go with your best offer upfront. By giving your best offer towards the end of the negotiations, you raise the chances of the feel-good factor in the other party.