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Sunday, January 23, 2011

Understanding Textile for a merchandiser

As a Garment Merchandiser he/she must have the knowledge about Textile.

The word “Textile” originally applied only to woven fabrics, now generally applied to fibers, yarns, or fabrics or products made of fiber, yarns or fabrics. The term Textile originates from the Latin verb Texere-to-weave-but, as the Textile institutes terms and definitions Glossary explains, it is now “a general term applied to any manufacture from fibers, filaments or yarns characterized by flexibility, fineness and high ratio of length to thickness.”

Textile Fiber:
Fibers used for the production of yarn and fabric. There are many fibers looks like textile fiber but all the fibers are not textile fibers. Textile fibers must the following properties-
A.    Primary Properties-
a.    High length to width ratio
b.    Tenacity
c.    Flexibility
d.    Spinning Quality
e.    Uniformity
B.    Secondary Properties:
a.    Physical Shape
b.    Elastic recovery and elongation
c.    Resiliency
d.    Flammability and other thermal reactions
e.    Density
f.    Luster
g.    Color
h.    Moisture regain

Sunday, January 16, 2011

The Techniques of Negotiation

A successful negotiation outcome does not generally occur though luck, but by following a clear process. The process reflects the different levels of knowledge of the subject of negotiation, various parties and the way they communicate at various stages in the negotiation. The following is an outline of steps essential to effective negotiation.
•    Prepare, prepare and prepare: Enter a negotiation without proper preparation and you’ve already lost. Start with yourself. Make sure you are clear on what you really want out of the arrangement. Research the other side to better understand their needs as well as their strengths and weaknesses. Enlist help from experts, such as an accountant, attorney or tech guru.
•    Pay attention to timing: Timing is important in any negotiation. Sure, you must know what to ask for. But be sensitive when you ask for it. There are times to press ahead, and times to wait. When you are looking your best is the time to press for what you want. But beware of pushing too hard and poisoning any long-term relationship.
•    Leave behind your ego: The best negotiators either don’t care or don’t show they care about who gets credit for a successful deal. Their talent is in making the other side feel like the final agreement was all their idea.
•    Ramp up your listening skills: The best negotiators are often quiet listeners who patiently let others have the floor while they make their case. They never interrupt. Encourage the other side to talk first. That helps set up one of negotiator’s oldest maxims: whoever mentions number first, loses. While that’s not always true, it’s generally better to sit tight and let the other side go first. Even if they don’t mention numbers, it gives you a chance to ask what they are thinking.
•    If you don’t ask you don’t get: Another tenet of negotiating is “Go high, or go home.” As part of your preparation, define your highest justifiable price. As long as you can argue convincingly, don’t be afraid to aim high. But no ultimatums, please. Take-it-or-leave-it offers are usually out of place.
•    Anticipate Compromise: You should expect to make concessions and plan what they might be. Of course, the other side is thinking the same, so never take their first offer. Even if it’s better than you’d hoped for, practice your best look of disappointment and politely decline. You never know what else you can get.
•    Offer and expect commitment: The glue that keeps deals from unraveling is an unshakable commitment to deliver. You should offer this comfort level to others. Likewise, avoid deals where the other side does not demonstrate commitment.
•    Don’t absorb their problems: In most negotiations, you will hear all of the other side’s problems and reasons they can’t give you what you want. They want their problems to become yours, but don’t let them. Instead, deal with each as they come up and try to solve them. If their “budget” is too low, for example, may be there are other places that money could come from.
•    Close with Confirmation: At the close of any meeting- even if no final deal are struck-recap the points covered and any areas of agreement. Make sure everyone confirms. Follow up with appropriate letters or emails. Do not leave behind loose ends.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Negotiation skills for a merchandiser

Negotiation:
Negotiation is one of the important part of merchandising.

One of the most important slills a buyer and a seller must muster is the ability to negotiate. As most  high street fashion selling prices are very competitive, the greatest scope for improving profit in a product is the reduction of cost price. There are many factros that influence the final cost price of a product including delivery terms.


Negotiation is the process of communication and exchange through which the interested parties make a series of demands and compromises, it involves the trading of benefits between buyer and seller. The basic principle is to trade what is of low value to seller but of greater value to the other party (Buyer). However the aim of a negotiation should be to ensure that both parties are happy with the final outcome or agreement, otherwise one or the other will not continue to participate.

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