Negotiation Skills Self-Assessment

2.

You are negotiating a service contract with a physiotherapy provider. They are demanding a higher amount for their services than other companies. How do you address this in order to get the best price for your company?

A. Respond with a low price and engage in positional bargaining, hoping that you will end up somewhere in the price range you think is fair.
B. Ask what the basis for their suggested price is.
C. Advise them that their price is far too high and that you will walk away unless they give you a more reasonable price.
D. Suggest a price of your own and provide the criteria upon which you have arrived at the price.
E. None of the above.

Correct Answer

A. B. Ask what the basis for their suggested price is.

Explanation

Answer B. The physiotherapy company is trying to get you started on the traditional positional bargaining philosophy of "start high, counter low, end up in the middle." To avoid this game, you need to change the focus of the negotiations. In order to counter their attempts at positional bargaining, you should begin by asking them what the basis for their initial price was. This tactic will draw attention away from the initial price and create a focus on the criteria for determining a fair price. Next, you should suggest a price of your own, substantiate the offer with appropriate criteria and stick to your offer.

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3.

You and your co-worker are having the same argument you have had many times in the past. Your client always pushes the same argument despite the fact that you have given them a number of counter-arguments. What do you do to resolve the situation?

A. Paraphrase what your significant other keeps repeating and ask them if what you have said is an accurate representation of his arguments.
B. Politely point out that they are repeating themselves and ask them to provide you with a new argument.
C. Inform them that you are not convinced by their argument and ask why they haven't agreed with your numerous counter-arguments.
D. Realize that they are just trying to gain the moral high ground with you and declare that they "agree with you or else" in order to get them to either agree with you or say something new.
E. None of the above.

Correct Answer

A. A. Paraphrase what your significant other keeps repeating and ask them if what you have said is an accurate representation of his arguments.

Explanation

Correct answer A: One of the most powerful tools in negotiation is how you listen to what the other party is saying. Very often, we are too focused on the points we are trying to get across to be able to listen to what our counterparts are trying to say. If your significant other is repeating themselves, they are subconsciously sending you a signal that they feel that what they are saying is important and they want you to acknowledge that you have heard and understand them. This is especially true if you are having the same argument over and over again. In personal relationships, in particular, we tend to set aside our differences without actually resolving them- which is why the argument keeps repeating itself. The best thing to do in this situation is to rephrase what they keep repeating and ask them if you have accurately restated their point. Once they feel as though they have been heard, only then will they be able to listen to you. Once both parties have actually heard and understood each other, you will both then be able to talk with each other instead of at each other.

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4.

You are working on a significant contract and the other party sends you a list of terms and conditions in an attempt to get the upper hand in the negotiations and suggests a three-hour meeting to discuss the terms. What do you do?

A. Go through their proposal point-by-point and try to determine their rationale for including each provision.
B. Develop a list of concerns in regards to the provisions they have included.
C. Develop an agenda for the scheduled meeting.
D. Come up with a counter-proposal of your own.
E. In order to send a message of "strength," immediately contact your counterpart suggesting an alternative meeting time during which you will provide them with a counter-proposal.

Correct Answer(s)

A. A. Go through their proposal point-by-point and try to determine their rationale for including each provision.
A. B. Develop a list of concerns in regards to the provisions they have included.
A. C. Develop an agenda for the scheduled meeting.
A. D. Come up with a counter-proposal of your own.
A. E. In order to send a message of "strength," immediately contact your counterpart suggesting an alternative meeting time during which you will provide them with a counter-proposal.

Explanation

A,B, C, D: In any negotiation where significant risk is involved, the parties involved bombard each other with proposals and other documentation in addition to having to attend numerous meetings. In the process, each party is constantly trying to obtain and maintain the upper hand in the negotiations. A common tactic in this regard is to propose a set of terms and conditions and then propose discussing them as soon as possible. In order to counteract this, there are several things that would be advisable- in the following order: First, before the actual meeting, you should analyze their proposal thoroughly, even if it means delaying the date and/or time of the meeting itself. In particular, you must first explain what you believe to be their reasons for each of their individual proposed provisions.

Finally, it is critical that you have an agenda for the meeting. This allows you to dictate the anticipated flow of negotiations. Failure to have a formalized agenda will result in a disorganized approach to the important issues and create immense room for emotional issues getting in the way of the resolution of substantive issues.

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5.

You are having trouble communicating effectively with your boss. She seems to be picking on you, in particular, and you don't know why. You are getting increasingly unhappy with the situation, so you:

A. Address the issue directly by asking your boss why she is always singling you out for criticism.
B. Address the issue directly by politely telling your boss that you feel as though you have been singled out for criticism lately and ask her if there is something in particular about your performance of which you need to be made aware.
C. Seek out a job offer from a competitor and tell your boss that you will leave unless you are treated with greater respect.
D. Jokingly tell your boss that you think she might not like you and see what she says.
E. Draft a letter explaining what you believe your job responsibilities are and ask your boss if your assumptions are accurate and, if not, what you have missed.

Correct Answer(s)

A. B. Address the issue directly by politely telling your boss that you feel as though you have been singled out for criticism lately and ask her if there is something in particular about your performance of which you need to be made aware.
A. E. Draft a letter explaining what you believe your job responsibilities are and ask your boss if your assumptions are accurate and, if not, what you have missed.

Explanation

B and E: Relationships with peers and superiors at work are often complicated by the stress of the work environment and the constant evaluation of a person's value as compared to expectations other people have of them. In this case, you really don't know why your boss is singling you out for criticism. She may be particularly upset with you or she may be upset in general due to personal circumstances or you may even be imagining the whole thing. Any time you don't have complete information or you are relying heavily on untested assumptions, your first job is to secure more information to help you make an accurate assessment of the situation. The LAST thing you want to do in such a situation is make any accusations about a person's intent or character- no matter what the truth is you will not gain what you seek.

By asking her whether or not you have done something wrong, you are giving her every opportunity to apologize in case there is nothing wrong. If she actually is concerned about your performance, then your invitation to tell you what the problem is will catch her off-guard and, as a consequence, she will likely let you know what the problem in a reciprocally polite manner. By writing down what you feel your responsibilities are deflects the pressure of the situation from the two of you personally to the piece of paper you have written the responsibilities on.

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6.

You have been seeking greater responsibility at work for quite a while and a position just opened up at your company that you think would be perfect for you. While you are confident you can do the job, you lack one of the credentials required for the position. How do you recommend yourself for the position?

A. Point out the benefits to the company of letting you fill the position, such as the fact that you are a known quantity, you are familiar with the company, and they would save both time and money on recruiting.
B. Seek out a competing offer and threaten to quit unless they offer you the position.
C. Offer to do the job at no salary increase for a probationary period of 3 to 6 months.
D. Apply for the position through normal channels and make your pitch during the interview process.
E. Offer to get the necessary credentials in exchange for a promise that the job will be available when you are finished.

Correct Answer(s)

A. A. Point out the benefits to the company of letting you fill the position, such as the fact that you are a known quantity, you are familiar with the company, and they would save both time and money on recruiting.
A. C. Offer to do the job at no salary increase for a probationary period of 3 to 6 months.

Explanation

A and C: You have been seeking greater responsibility at work for quite a while and a position just opened up at your company that you think would be perfect for you. While you are confident you can do the job, you are lacking one of the credentials upper management is seeking in filling the position. How do you ask for the position?

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Negotiation Skills Self-assessment

A client walks into your office and is exceedingly angry and difficult to talk to. How do you approach your client to make your meeting as productive as possible?

Quiz Preview

You are negotiating a service contract with a physiotherapy provider. They are demanding a higher amount for their services than other companies. How do you address this in order to get the best price for your company?

You and your co-worker are having the same argument you have had many times in the past. Your client always pushes the same argument despite the fact that you have given them a number of counter-arguments. What do you do to resolve the situation?

You are working on a significant contract and the other party sends you a list of terms and conditions in an attempt to get the upper hand in the negotiations and suggests a three-hour meeting to discuss the terms. What do you do?

You are having trouble communicating effectively with your boss. She seems to be picking on you, in particular, and you don't know why. You are getting increasingly unhappy with the situation, so you: