Author: Hrvoje Zaric

Most firms approach negotiations with “standard structures” — time-based billing, contract templates, or annual agreements. And while these structures feel familiar, they often hold us back from uncovering innovative solutions.

Here’s the problem:

1️⃣ Limited Skills: Many professionals aren’t equipped to build, propose, or evaluate creative alternatives.

2️⃣ Comfort Zones: Standard templates feel safe, but they stifle responsiveness to unique circumstances, and keep you from achieving more beneficial outcomes.

3️⃣ Operational Complexity: Organizations resist changes that disrupt deeply ingrained systems.

Yet, structuring innovative agreements can set you apart in a crowded marketplace. Moving beyond the standard approach could boost your commercial success and turn you into the ‘go-to partner’ your counterparts prefer at the table.

When was the last time you revisited the structures behind your deals? Could it be time to innovate?

When everything feels like it must be done now, you risk:

1. Skipping Preparation: Under time pressure, vital research, planning, and strategy often get pushed aside.
2. Overlooking Creative Options: Rushing leaves no space to explore out-of-the-box solutions that could unlock more value.
3. Damaging Trust: In haste, you might come across as pushy or inattentive to your counterpart’s needs—undermining long-term relationships.

Sometimes speed is necessary, but if every negotiation feels urgent, you’re leaving untapped value on the table. Slow down, plan properly, and watch how your outcomes improve.