Design Win-Win Deal

dennyzhang

URL: https://quantcodedenny.com/posts/design-win-win/

Working deeply in ML Infra (like Meta or Google) can make your skills feel too specialized. You solve critical problems — but the broader market may not see your full capability. The key is to grow visibility and generalize impact organically, through habits you already do daily.

Understanding Interests vs. Positions

*TODO: Expand with real-life examples

  • Positions are what people say they want.
  • Interests are why they want it.
  • Asking “why” questions helps uncover underlying motivations.

Expanding the Pie: Creating Value

  • Brainstorm multiple solutions before negotiating.
  • Focus on solutions that cost you little but help the other party.
  • Example: If your team needs resources and leadership wants fast delivery, explore temporary staffing or automation.

Strategic Concessions

  • Trade things that are low cost for you but high value for them.
  • Always aim to ask for something in return.
  • Example: “I can support your project if you help me with X later.”

Framing Shared Wins

  • Explicitly show benefits for all parties.
  • Practice drafting talking points or emails that highlight mutual gains.
  • Example: “This approach reduces errors for your team and meets our deadlines.”

Practice in Low-Stakes Environments

  • Apply the principles to family decisions, small purchases, or team tasks.
  • Treat each negotiation as a mini-experiment.
  • Reflect: Did both sides feel good? Could more value have been created?

Post-Mortem and Continuous Improvement

  • Keep a Win-Win Journal: 1–2 entries per week.
  • Analyze:
    • Interests of both sides
    • Value created
    • Satisfaction of both parties
    • Lessons for next time

Tools and Frameworks

  • BATNA – Know your alternatives.
  • ZOPA – Identify the zone of possible agreement.
  • Principled Negotiation – Fisher & Ury’s Getting to Yes framework.

TODO Future Improvements

  • Add real-life case studies.
  • Include examples from work and family scenarios.
  • Add diagrams showing negotiation flow.

Conclusion

Practicing win-win deals is a skill that compounds over time. By focusing on interests, creating value, and reflecting continuously, you can negotiate outcomes that strengthen relationships and achieve shared success.