3.13:

It is hard to try and become partners with someone who you were competing against. I had did this at a job I had years ago. I was friends with her then, a position both of us wanted and a few others. I was the one who was very competitive and lost friends. If I would have looked at the big picture and did my research I would have known that I was not eligible for the promotion since I am in school. The other girl who was about to get kicked out of school for attendance got the position. I could have used all of them to help me move up in the company once I could have an open availability. So from that I had learned from my past. There was an opening at my current job and in the same department that I work in for a supervisor. I put in for it and I was interviewed, but was not promoted. Which is fine because I am moving in a few weeks. I was in competition with a lot more people this time, but I was selected as one of the top candidates which made me feel good. I have worked with management and my new supervisors teaching them what I know as they came to the department and now that I am leaving and we have a new associate. I feel that it is hard to work with the competition, but at times it helps make both persons better, stronger performers and the one who out shines the other deserves the position or leadership role. There are always those who take charge and are the leaders and those who wait and delegate the tasks. I work with a lot of people who are related, which to me is a pain hearing and knowing that they are related to them. I would like special treatment too. The hard part is that they do their work and do it well. They know their job and seem to know more than some that have been working here for a while. Its hard, I have to keep going over the pros and cons like the textbook addresses and move forward with the tasks I have to complete.

2.1: rationalize

After reading the assigned readings 2.1 and 2.2 from the textbook found that I had a more to discuss in 2.1. I liked how they provided the scenarios and gave the different view points. Looking at things no matter how big or small they may appear to you they my be the opposite to the person on the other side that is why everything should be handled carefully and in a timely manor.


As the semester is winding down I have a handful of things that I need to rationalize in the upcoming weeks. Which store do I want to transfer to with regards to travel distance, position, benefits and salary. The second main concern that I have been faced with recently is how am I going to pay for my education upon graduation and transferring to another school? I have funding that will expire about half way through and an option to get out of the National Guard or to stay in and have them pay for some of it and then with myself and my civilian employer it should be paid off before graduation. The dilemma is that this is the perfect opportunity to get out and transfer to a different status which would be most beneficial for me. This is somewhat out of my control so I can move.


Do I want to work at a store that is closer, but may pay about the same as now for the same or similar position. Or do I take the promotion and the possibility to have the light shine on me while I would be working at a store trying out some new services. There I would have stable hours and then I am sure I would have the benefits medical coverage and some vacation time come next fall. I think I will try and use what I have learned from the class thus far and take the position farther away, but tell them that I would like to have a few things like FT & to work the other 8 hours in the department that I currently am working in. But there is another aspect that I need to rationalize working 40 hours. Is that best for me, my employer and my school work?


There is a lot to take in when trying to make the best possible decision for one. Like we learned in class it may not be the best for the person to your left or right its all in how you play the game.  

School board VS. Teacher strike

This negotiation was much different than the others. We had four people on each side of the discussion. To me it seemed like there were two of us on each side that agreed on the same issues and the other two group members seemed to be the more outspoken people leading the discussion. I felt that a lot of the topics had more to discuss and negotiate than others. For example benefits we spoke mainly about maternity and paternity leave. There was no discussing if the father was not married if they get the time off or is it only those married to their pregnant wife who are allowed the time off like in the military. There were a lot more that could have been brought up on this topic, but I think its mainly because many of my peers are not married or have a full time job were these are important aspects to consider they never thought about time. When we sat down to discuss the dispute within the Newtown schools the teachers wanted a 10% increase in their salary. We knew before we even sat down that they were going to fight us hard for higher pay, but we had thought about 5% was our max before sitting down. So we settled at 6.0%- 6.5% increase. One of our top concerns was the work load of the teachers. With that being said we needed to increase the number of students in each classroom for one teacher. We also needed to cut back some time classes. This would mean more time for teachers to assist with other obligation around the school: lunch and bus duty for example. The teachers wanted to keep their prep and duty free time. I personally do not understand why we should be fighting over giving them this time. It is something that is necessary for teachers. My father is a 10-12 teacher and that off time is used for various things like grading, preparing the classroom for the next class, lunch/ bus duty or even to cover for other teachers. Also, its hard for students to learn and teachers to do their job with over crowed classrooms. This is something that everyone should understand from both sides. I do better in smaller(>20) classes than the ones that are packed (<30) students. It seems like what the board is asking for from the teachers is not reasonable if you actually think about it rather than just read the script. The teachers evaluations also were brought up for negotiation. There was not much to discus in this topic I thought. The main concern I have is the frequency of the evaluations  and  what happens after words. Does the teacher have a meeting to know how they performed? What happens if for some reason they perform below satisfactory? Things like this could be brought up. With all of that being said we still need to lay off some staff. When we sat down with the teachers one of them really felt strongly about knowing the actual number of teachers that were going to be let go. I think that how the teachers evaluations have some say in if a teacher may stay or go along with attendance and other topics that will be used.
Again, as a part of the school board and someone who recently had the hardest time finding a job I do not feel that the last minute notification was adequate. On average the hiring processing takes about 6 weeks or longer from the time you look for a job, submit your application, get the call for an interview and for orientation. There was not any mention anything about any cash flow to the teaches that will be let go so that is something as a board member I am happy about, but its not something that they brought up which could have caused more problems. It really seemed like everyone at the table were getting frustrated. Too bad we could not have swapped places for the next negation.

MOVIE: Final Offer

This was a movie we watched about the negotiation strategies with GM and a Canadian auto company. Here four men were business partners and had to make big decisions about their US and Canadian companies. Each company wanted their own needs to be met rather than to change them like the other. What was important to the Canadians was not important to those in the United States. For example the Canadians did not really care about a bonus they rather have the increase in their pay. The way the Canadians were treated I would not care to be treated that way even for an increase on my pay. Having to ring a bell and waiting for 45 minutes or so for someone to respond so you can be relieved is a little crazy. Bob White was the president of the Canadian GM Company and had did his best to give them what they disserve. Bob White, Owen, Andrews and Smith all had long talks about what each of them felt was best. Collations were formed and lies were told which made it easier for them to get ahead. The other person was not aware of what was or was not a bluff. Things like this happen all the time and it could affect even more people as employees or the consumer when or how the items are purchased.  

Jordan Electronics - VP of Sales

For this negotiation I looked at it differently than the others we have done in class. I had sat back and wanted to hear what my group members had to say, but when I had an idea I spoke up. I felt like I was firm with the offer than I had been in the past negotiations.  My group had and entirely different approach than the others when we had concluded and discussed. We had more of a narrator who wrote down our wants if they were high or low and who wanted what. It was nice to be able to see what everyone was saying rather than just hearing them talk. This is also a technique that has been used by other groups in the past. I feel that the director was the hardest person to work with. It seemed like most of what we said he was not in favor of until the end. Overall I liked this negotiation more than the others. I thought of the products as things that relate to my life. Things that I can sell since I work retail and things that innovators like my husband needs the news and latest things. He is the type of person who has to have the latest and greatest gadgets. I looked at the items we were to produce as Apple produces their Iphones. A group member had mentioned increasing the price we were asking once the item has been produced and ready to hit the shelves. We had an incentive of 25 K for current users so they were not spending nearly as much as our other customers. I had thought of  having custom packages, but the idea was vetoed and our time was running out otherwise I would have pushed for this more than I had pushed for anything in the past negotiations. I think customer orders would help to pull in a specific target market whether they would want or need the basic, classic or executive packages would give our clients what they want.

Coalition, do we want to join or not to join the coalition.

What is a coalition? We may want to determine that factor out before we know if we want to join them or to plot against them. What do we have to gain or lose in this situation? Do we want to become friends or allies with the others? These are just a few questions that we need to think about before we really know if we want to be a join a coalition or if we want to stay away from them.


A coalition is when there are others with similar interests wanting the same end result. How you get there may vary depending on what you have to offer. Normally it happens when the person who has the greater amount unintentionally show the others the power they have which pushes the others who have less separately have more when they are joined otherwise know as a coalition is formed. The people  who had less are plotting to work against the one who had more in order to them the two of them the better deal in the end.


A real life coalition for me would be when my sister and I were trying to make a sale on Facebook
for a floor lamp. I actually can negotiate when it comes to buying and selling when decorating is involved. So my little sister wanted a floor lamp and there is a lady who didn't want to go down in price at all. I starting talking to the lady and I had got the price lowered considerably. I had my sister keep talking to her to see what she would say. Since I was the one who had closed the sale and was going to up the item I requested some compensation for this. We had  worked together to get what she wanted the floor lamp and at a low price, and I got to take part in a great sale and walked away feeling good about standing my ground and getting higher compensation than expected. When we first started speaking to the lady I was lucky to get her to drop it at all because she was one of those people who wrote "FIRM". Then, after I formed a relationship with her and discussed the item it was easier to talk to her and have the ball in my court. The lady then would not respond to my sister that is how much she wanted my sale.

class survey

I honestly did not understand this survey when it was given to us  the first day of class. When we were given the results it just made me even more confused. I had scored at the top of the first one and the bottom of the second one. I feel strongly about not lying about getting what you want when someone directly asks you; however; if you don't ask the right questions or word it the right way things could be withheld. I know there have been times that too many people try to use that against the other person. If you don't ask we don't have to tell just like in court. Talking too much gets you into so much more trouble at times. I am not sure how it is ok to knowingly withhold information that you should have told the person asking about it. There was someone who was the total opposite of my responses on the first two. The main reason I had answered the questions this ways is due to the last job I had for several years. There these people were the type who tried to get you in trouble for false information, lying, or attacking others. I see how these are both good and bad qualities to have and since may of us will be out in the real world soon it would be even more of a reason for us to take advantage to where we fall in the categories and  to improve.

points

From the readings and the class discussion I have learned that the points system is a lot more important than just one or two, high or low. It could mean a promotion to one over his peers or a passing grade rather than a failing grade. They are also very important when used when booking trips so one could gain the best rates for the lowest out of pocket amount. In the military we use a points system in order to gain rank and gain a higher position. One point could mean the difference between a promotion or not which also depends if one were to be entitled to a pay increase or not. This could also effect someone's chances of a big scholarship or valedictorian and the ability to attend any school upon graduation. In these examples the points are not able to be altered or negotiated as something like pay or a possible promotion.  When interviewing someone could give the employer a range of numbers and have them set up just like the example from class and the books. All of the examples I have provided could help or hurt one depending on which direction the points go. If you were to develop a strong honest relationship with your partner they will normally treat you with the same respect and things will work out in favor for both of you.

Case #6: MCA

PART: A


In this reading there are two long time friends who functioned well together and they wanted to work together and became interested in the 1970's art. They are not well known and Smith does not do well in crowds, but both had reputable careers. They got on the board at the art museum that budget problems have got the best of them causing problems for them and those around them. Both men want to have the final say over the museums expansion. The board members were not on 100% with the idea to expand back in 1991; however; they thought that there was great potential with the aggressive plan Schmidt developed. Smith felt hurt by this that the majority did not favor his opinions at this meeting.  It seems that both persons need to sit down and have a conference to make the best for MCA. To me it seems like neither party wants to compromise at all. They are butting heads trying to be competitive when they need to be more collaborative.


 Personally, I am a competitive when it comes to things I know I am good at or feel that I am better at than other things. It is hard to back off and work with your co-workers. When positions were open at several places I have worked at I would try and do what I could to try and make myself stand out in hopes to get the promotion; however; its hard to get the promotion while a college student. From taking college classes after experiencing these events in the past it has helped me recently try and not put my guard up and be more accommodating and collaborative with my co-workers. If Smith and Peter took both of their positive ideas and put them to good use the organization would be much better off, profitability would increase and the disagreement would be between them and no one else would need to know about their out falling.  It seems like both men should use their interests to increase their power for both of them to get ahead but they do not see it that way. These days everyone wants to be in charge when it comes to power and things going well, but when things are not doing well they are quick to give up the power.


PART: B


Later in the year Peggy Fisher receives an urgent message in regards to a $5 million pledge to the museum had not been handled correctly. This is in part to an error that Smith had caused which could cause large financial problems for MCA. There is a lot more riding on this currently than in the past. The persons who are above the two men apparently above them were aware of the difficulty they were having coming to an agreement, but never said anything. Later, Smith was not longer employed there and his position had been filled. The Smith family had been supporters of MCA for a long time so this missed payment in the pledge was quite a surprise for Peggy even though the money is a donation and not all is ever received they were dependent on it.  Now that there is a new building for MCA the FASB is requiring a paper trail of all donations, pledges due to it being an non-profit organization in order to assist them in the future if things like this were to happen. Richard wanted Peggy to file a lawsuit against Smith for the non-payment because they claim they would not have built the new building otherwise. It was a donation so I feel Smith was not obligated to give the money to MCA and there was nothing in writing - a contract to hold him liable. There were other art museums that did not proceed to file lawsuits when a pledge did not come through with the money.


With part B its a little harder for me to see who is which type than on part A. I do feel that more of the companies interests are thought of more and the individuals are not on a power trip like with Smith and Peter. It was nice to know that even though Richard wanted to proceed with a lawsuit with Smith but due to his wives ill health it was the worst timing so they backed off. So even though Smith didn't do everything perfectly the way they want things worked out. Peggy and the others came up with a great way to help them to not let this happen later on by drawing up many forms and documents that need to be maintained because of this mishap. So no one was on a power trip like the two men. The negotiation strategy used here was accommodating. Accommodating is a "back off" approach when they realized that Smiths' wife had be doing well due to her illness. The couples time together at this time was important and the support they have given MCA in the past up until her health had starting going down hill. So in return there is not anything negative for MCA or the Smiths' and later once she recovers maybe they would be willing to donate the same or even more money for stepping back and giving them their privacy in this time.

the simple things in life really aren't that simple when we need negotiation

There was some valuable information that was presented in our last class from the lecture and from in class assignments. Some people are naturally able to negotiate their way to get what they need or want in order to benefit. For example the used car case study some were able to get all the money they needed from the buyer without needing to go out of pocket.  I was happy that I would bring my buyer up $1,000 and gain the extra $100 that I would not have made with the dealership; however; I am would have liked to break even with getting the whole amount of $8,500 from the buyer. I know in this situation I didn’t do as well as I have when selling my own items or even at work. When I am able to sell more of the product and or for a higher price I know a lot more about it so I can educate my buyer. I like to allow them to make the decision if the amount they want to purchase. To me less is more. I have a cart full of items that are on sale or even on clearance so many go and stock up and the price increase quickly, whereas when a customer comes in for a big screen television they come in for that item and that’s normally it. Say you are wanting some material cut and there is a little bit remaining on the bolt. Some would just put the small amount back on the shelf rather than having the customer purchase it. To me that is an easy negotiation and it comes naturally to me along with asking if they needed any other items. I am not pushing like the car salesmen. I know who my customers are and we have an established relationship so they trust me in not ripping them off or giving them bad advice. Even when I was involved in online sales there was a way to negotiate the price or the quantity of what is to be purchased. I buy low and sell high everyone does it like that, that’s how so many people make extra money or for some to earn a living. When looking to purchase a home the buyers and sellers come to the table with their agents and the seller can counter the offer in order to get more of what they were looking to get for the property. A lot of the time the sellers will pay more than the original offer since they want to sell. Some of the people who price the homes are not sure as to what the listing price should be so they need to lower the price in order to attract more home buyers.

At the completion of this course I hope that I will be able to persuade or negotiate my Soldier that things can be worked out with us and that with this deployment to Afghanistan and last years to Kuwait has helped us in so many ways. I need to negotiate with him so many things besides the fact to move out to Colorado which is where I will be moving not long after graduation this December. We hurt so much and we can tell the other wants to make a move but at this point we need to focus on us individually then as one again. I need for him to see how much easier things will be now that both of us are not on active duty and that more can get done and we can do so much more and have even more than in the past. We can take a much needed vacation, we can buy a house to call our home where we can raise our family.