MHEDA TALKS

How to Strengthen Your Negotiation Skills

About This Episode

Fotini Iconomopoulos, negotiation and communication expert, joins host Shari Altergott to share strategies for navigating tough conversations, building confidence, and turning negotiations into collaborative, win-win outcomes ahead of her presentation at MHEDA’s 2025 Women in Industry Conference.

Listen to the Audio Podcast

The Art of Negotiation

In this episode of MHEDA Talks, host Shari Altergott, CEO of  The CX Edge, sits down with Fotini Iconomopoulos, negotiation and communication expert, author, and keynote speaker, to discuss how to confidently navigate difficult conversations, from salary discussions to high-stakes boardroom meetings. Fotini, a featured speaker at MHEDA’s upcoming 2025 Women in Industry Conference, shares powerful, practical insights drawn from decades of experience training leaders around the world. Through relatable examples, humor, and science-backed advice, Fotini helps listeners reframe negotiation as a collaboration, not a confrontation, and reminds us that authenticity and preparation are key to getting what you want.

Key Topics Discussed
  • Why emotions can help — not hurt — your negotiation
  • How to build genuine confidence and what belongs in your “feel-good folder”
  • The two most dangerous words to avoid in negotiation and what to say instead
  • How to manage power dynamics when you feel outmatched
  • When to use AI tools for preparation and when to leave them out of the room
About Fotini Iconomopoulos

Fotini Iconomopoulos is a negotiation and communication expert, keynote speaker, and author of Say Less, Get More: Unconventional Negotiation Techniques to Get What You Want. With a background in corporate sales and a masters degree in negotiation and communication, she has spent over a decade helping business leaders and teams around the world master the art of persuasion and influence. Known for her dynamic speaking style and practical insights, Fotini empowers professionals to navigate challenging conversations with confidence and authenticity.

Join us in Rosemont, IL for this interactive and insightful industry event!

We’ll explore new breakthroughs in AI, strengthen negotiation skills, and equip you with tools to speak with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re elevating a brand, breaking through barriers, or sprinting toward your next big goal, this conference will give you the techniques to go further. Join a network of driven, dynamic women who are ready to train hard, dream big, and lead with strength. — Learn More! 

About the MHEDA Talks Podcast

Shari Altergott has over 20 years of experience within the Material Handling Industry.  During her career she has held several positions withing marketing, sales, business development and executive leadership. Today she leads The CX Edge, a customer experience consulting firm focused specifically on the material handling industry. Over her time, she has developed full scope marketing functions that manage corporate initiatives related to customer experience, CRM, social networking, brand development, advertising and lead generation. Learn more at cx-edge.com.

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Gene Marks

CPA, National Business Columnist, Author & Speaker

Gene Marks is a past columnist for both The New York Times and The Washington Post. Gene now writes regularly for The Hill, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Forbes, Entrepreneur, The Washington Times, and The Guardian. Gene is a best-selling author and has written 5 books on business management. Gene appears on Fox Business, MSNBC, as well as CBS Eye on the World with John Batchelor and SiriusXM’s Wharton Business Channel where he talks about the financial, economic and technology issues that affect business leaders today. Gene helps business owners, executives and managers understand the political, economic and technological trends that will affect their companies and provides actionable insights.

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