Negotiations Exercises and Microsoft

Negotiation Exercise

A Negotiation Sample

I have worked for Microsoft for the last four years as technical support. The role was very demanding, though it attracted low pay. Considering that I had worked for four years minus a salary increase, I felt it was appropriate for the company to consider better pay for me. As a result, I approached my manager one of the days and expressed why I needed a salary increment. Some of the issues I tabled included a long stay of four years in the company without salary increment. The salary was too little considering the status of the economy and my family responsibility.

In her response, my supervisor Mrs. June did not give me concise feedback but urged me to continue doing a good job. She added that it may not necessarily be a salary increment if I deliver, but she can promote me to a higher role that would attract more pay, growth, and better terms. Six months later, I got a change of role letter, assigning me to a senior data analyst position. A role I anticipated would attract a salary increment doubling the present salary. Unfortunately, my salary was still not reviewed, to my surprise. I felt agitated and contacted my supervisor before accepting the new role. In her response, Mrs. June informed me about taking the new assignment as the salary figure is still under consideration by the top management.

Considering the earlier experience where some of my colleagues were given additional senior roles without a pay increase, I knew Mrs. June was fooling me as well. As a result, I insisted on only accepting the role after reviewing my salary. June emphasized that the position needed urgent recruitment and decided to give someone else the job. Later on, I got a letter of contract termination based on non-commitment and non-compliance to the company’s objectives.

Negotiation Techniques

Negotiation is a discussion style among two or more parties over some discrepancies to arrive at a satisfying conclusion for all the involved parties. It should be an open forum for everyone to express their views and participate in arriving at an acceptable solution for all (McCarthy 10). Negotiation and begging are two different things. Negotiation has to take a dignified approach. Some of the negotiation techniques include;

First, one must be adequately informed about everything related to the deal for effective negotiation. For instance, an effective negotiator should find every minute of information that may be critical during bargaining (Engel et al. 34). Also, one has to be prepared for any outcome because the other parties can also ask anything.

Another essential negotiation technique is being a patient listener. One has to listen to himself; other parties’ needs and interests. One should not jump to conclusions and demand things that do not benefit the second party as well (Padua Filho et al. 66). Listening to other parties’ suggestions is critical because they could have a unique proposition that is valuable to all the parties.

Moreover, a negotiator should not be in a hurry to close the deal, rather should have his self-assessment and discussion before making any conclusion. One should adopt a win-win approach while making a decision. In addition, a negotiator has to know where to compromise to arrive at an output. If one finds that accepting some terms or suggestions from the other parties would not cause harm, go ahead to take. In one way or the other, everyone has to compromise some things.

Another critical technique is knowing the deadlines. A negotiator should evaluate and understand the existing deadlines that would force either of the parties to make a particular choice. Deadlines may also imply that lack of action can result in unpredictable consequences (Engel et al. 44). However, one may also not be sure if the negotiation deadline is absolute, hence the need to be wary of them.

Finally, a negotiator has to be realistic. One should not push for things they so well understand is not possible. Instead, one ought to be more practical in the approach and remain logical (McCarthy 12). Accordingly, as it is okay to think about personal interests, one should not get mad. For example, if you want to purchase an item at some cost, remember, the seller also has to make a profit.

Lessons Learned from The Failed Negotiation.

One of the key lessons learned is being a patient listener while negotiating. I decided to reject the new role out of haste and hearsay, minus considering what such decisions would take. Further, I failed to establish deadlines during the negotiation process. For instance, it would have been wise to accept the new role assigned but introduce a deadline for the salary increment to be affected. On the same note, I also failed to identify the deadline through which the management had filled in the vacancy. My objection, therefore, left them with no alternative but to find another candidate.