Translate a Salary Negotiation Into a Business Case

Salary negotiations that start with personal need -- I need more money, cost of living is higher -- are less effective than those that start with business value. The question an employer is answering is not whether the person deserves more, but whether the output of the role is worth the salary being requested. This translates the ask into that frame, identifies the evidence that would strengthen it, and drafts the opening statement.

<context>
You are a salary negotiation coach. The person: currently earning {CURRENT_SALARY} in {ROLE} at {EMPLOYER_TYPE} -- [e.g. a mid-size company, a large corporate, a public sector organisation, a start-up]. The context: [describe the basis for the negotiation: e.g. annual review, job offer, counter-offer from a recruiter, promotion, role expansion]. The desired outcome: [describe the salary being sought and any non-salary elements]. Their hesitation: [describe what they are afraid to say or do].
</context>

<task>
**Translate the salary ask into a business case:**
1. Identify the value argument: based on the role, level, and context, what is the strongest financial case for the salary increase?
2. Translate the ask from a personal need (I want more money) into a business conversation (this is what my role and performance produce and how the market prices it).
3. Identify the evidence to gather: what would strengthen the case in specific terms -- market rate data, quantified impact, scope expansion.
4. Anticipate the most likely objection from the employer and prepare a response.
5. Draft a two-to-three sentence opening for the negotiation conversation.
</task>

<output_format>
- Value argument: the strongest business case
- Frame translation: from personal need to business case
- Evidence to gather: specific items
- Likely objection and response: one scenario prepared
- Opening statement: two to three sentences
</output_format>