Ask Yourself This Pose some creative questions before the deal, and you may find a new way to clinch it.

Even though the business world thrives on vigorous innovation,entrepreneurs often overlook the creative side of deal-making. Howunfortunate! Creative thinking can pay the deal-maker bigdividends, both when you're first entertaining a deal, andlater, when you're actually negotiating it.

Initially, creativity will help with the most criticalconsideration of all: making sure you're in the right deal.Before you get too involved, you must discover and consider allyour alternatives. Start by asking yourself the ultimatebig-picture question: "Why am I doing this deal?" Onceyou really nail down the things you want, better ways to get themwill often jump out at you. Brainstorm with these two magic words:"How else?"

For example, an unsophisticated inventor assumes that his onlyoption is to sell a brilliant new idea outright to somemegacorporation for a pittance of a royalty. By reconsidering howelse he could make a profit, he suddenly realizes he couldalso: