Hello {{first_name}}!
Letās be real: Negotiating as a founder feels like a high-stakes poker game where youāre not even sure of the rules. One bad deal or a "no" from a gatekeeper doesn't just stall a project; it can drain your runway and kill your momentum.
Weāve heard you. Our recent community surveys showed that many of you are still hitting walls when it comes to negotiations, handling bureaucracy, and the psychological "chess" of deal-making.
To help you level up, we went to the Stanford Graduate School of Business and pulled the ultimate playbook from Professor Margaret Neale. Sheās the expert on turning "fights" into "collaborative problem-solving." Since youāre busy scaling, weāve extracted the high-leverage "Golden Nuggets" from her session so you can apply them today.
āI can literally say with 100% truth: This info is worth money. Literally.ā
The full 35-minute masterclass is linked at the bottom, but here is the 2-minute breakdown to help you win your next ask.
š ļø Curated with care by Bartosz & Hannah ā the team behind Bootstrap Insider.
We research, vet, and deliver only the most founder-friendly opportunities.
š„The key takeaways
šDitch the "Battle" Mindset: Negotiation isn't a fight; it's collaborative problem-solving. If you see the other party as an enemy, you limit your own creativity. Your goal is to build a solution that makes it incredibly easy for them to say "Yes" voluntarily.
š£ļøThe Power of the Ask: Most founders fail simply because they don't ask. Studies show that 60% of people will agree to a request even with no reason provided. If you don't ask, the answer is already "No." Don't let the fear of rejection kill your momentum.
šThe "Why" Factor: Adding a simple justification (even a basic one) jumps the success rate from 60% to over 90%. People need a narrative. Give them a reason for your request before they invent a negative one in their heads.
āļøStop Issue-by-Issue Haggling ("Packaging"): Don't negotiate price, then time, then resources separately. That leads to dead ends. Package them together. This creates "asymmetries"āwhere you can trade something cheap for you but valuable for them, creating a true win-win.
šSet Your Three Boundaries Never enter a room without these three lines:
Fallback: What happens if there is no deal?
Tipping Point: When do you walk away because the deal makes you worse off?
Stretch Goal: What is your "dream" outcome? (Most people aim way too low).
š¤«The "No" is a Gatekeeper In VC or corporate worlds, the first "No" is often just a test of your persistence. Don't walk away. Stay strategic, adjust your "package," and return with a stronger justification.
šØIf you want to move beyond ājust salaryā and package global talent with seamless compliance as a strategic resource, Deel is the platform that handles bureaucracy for you!
Equipment policies break when you hire globally
Deelās latest policy template on IT Equipment Policies can help HR teams stay organized when handling requests across time zones (and even languages). This free template gives you:
Clear provisioning rules across all countries
Security protocols that prevent compliance gaps
Return processes that actually work remotely
This free equipment provisioning policy will enable you to adjust to any state or country you hire from instead of producing a new policy every time. That means less complexity and more time for greater priorities.
I wish you much success with your applications!
See you next time! :)
Best,
Bartosz and Hannah
About The Bootstrap Insider
The Bootstrap Insider is a newsletter that helps startups discover and apply for pitch competitions, ensuring they never miss out on valuable opportunities. It addresses the problem of missed funding and exposure chances due to lack of information. Created by Bartosz Kajdas, an experienced entrepreneur, venture builder and Pitchtrainer, the platform leverages his expertise to provide timely and relevant updates.
Disclaimer:
This newsletter is for informational purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. We shall not be liable for any damages arising from the use or non-use of the information provided.