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.