Fear of the "No"

Mark Monlux created a presentation as a contract tutorial for graphic designers, providing guidance on how to negotiate contracts, but it also offers a lot of good information about contract negotiation in general. I particularly enjoyed the part about the reluctance of graphic designers to use the "Power Word" - No.

"Fear of the No", i.e. fear of losing a project by not agreeing to all client demands, can and does lead to contractors involving themselves in unprofitable projects and otherwise frustrating their best intentions.

A well placed, "No, I can't perform effectively on those terms" or like utterance can enhance your credibility and help lead to a more satisfying experience for all concerned.