Life entails continuous negotiations. Any negotiation approach has to be efficient, generate wise agreements in case there are possibilities of reaching an agreement, as well as cement the relationship between the involved entities. Any negotiation process has to aim at addressing the contentious issues, as well as focusing on the formula for dealing with the issue. Organizational managements have the duty of making critical decisions that affect the overall operations of the entity. In different decision-making scenarios, there are instances where there are great interests between two parties. This situation necessitates the use win-win negotiation skills to help reach a compromising conclusion in which both parties feel satisfied. Therefore, win-win negotiation strategies help in effective resolution of conflicts among interested parties.
Mediators in a negotiation process have to employ the a win-win strategy to ensure that the solution does not damage the relationship between the parties. The inclusion of a statement of agreement, the explanations of the deal, performance incentives, terms and conditions, as well as reference records bearing the signatures of both parties is fundamental to a win-win negotiation arrangement (Negotiation Techniques: A Win-Win Strategy Is The Best Way for Your Side to Win, n.d.). The report analyses how win-win strategies are applicable, as well as their significance in a negotiation process. Managers have to apply this strategy to make employees feel the sense of victory in any conflict in the management system involving the staff.
For a negotiation process to be effective, the parties should not act in ways that can out rightly disadvantage the other. For example, “playing hardball” and preparing in detail and valid “gamesmanship” make other parties lose out in the negotiation. These manipulative approaches destroy trust and relationships between parties. In win-win strategies, openness and honesty form the foundation of the negotiation process. During negotiation, one should remain patient, professional, and not confuse the process with confrontation. In addition, the parties should avoid blame games if they cannot fully achieve their objectives since the whole process is like “splitting the pie down the middle” as Ghamami (2010) notes. Managers have to comprehend the needs of the parties in the negotiation. This approach helps them apply a methodology for acquiring necessary information for making an inclusive decision that does not sacrifice the total-cost objectives of the two parties.
In supply chain management, pre-negotiation sessions are vital in applying win-win strategies, as they enable the manager to establish the expectations of the supplier for them to consider the negotiation process a success. Negotiators must be active listeners; the skill makes people to accept a resolution easily as they believe that their demands have been heard, comprehended, and internalized. After listening to their positions, the manager has to determine how to get a solution that satisfies all parties (Burden, 2003). The third step involves developing a strategic plan to cater for further actions if no pact is reached. The objective of this stage is to ensure that the supplier’s interest is met. In a case where a CEO plans to expand the services of the company by acquiring new business, the existing departments in the firm like finance, marketing, research and development, marketing, and sales will have different opinions given that they view the whole concept from their own perspectives.
Therefore, it is the duty of the CEO to align all the views in order to arrive at a compromising decision, which encompasses the interests of all the departments. Notably, employee engagement in decision-making within the business instills in them the morale of achieving the objectives of the firm. The CEO has to map out the possibilities to keep good working relationship within the business. In the process, one should not become emotional, as it undermines the fundamental reason for negotiations. This state can take along manipulative dynamics to it. In the negotiations, one should be prepared to give what others want even if it is what she/he plans to trade (Negotiation Techniques: A Win-Win Strategy Is The Best Way for Your Side to Win, n.d.). However, the person can negotiate for compensations to make him/her comfortable with the final agreement.
Both parties in the negotiation have to avoid negative thoughts about the entire process in order to accept the resolutions. Having such thoughts can out rightly destroy good relationships, hence killing the business milieu. Win-win strategies employ the use of good communication skills to cement a rapport with all stakeholders of a business entity (Fisher & Ury, 2011). Markedly, to persuade the parties in the negotiation to agree on a given resolution, great communication skills prove indispensable. A business that uses win-win strategies in its negotiations builds trust with the local communities, vendors, customers, and employees. Even in setting of goals, negotiations have to occur. The parties tasked with the responsibility of fronting an establishment’s a win-win negotiation drive have to carry out a selfless scrutiny that entails a correct assessment of the establishment’s strengths and weaknesses in light of the goals and objectives of the group, as well as the ambitions of the other party.
This elemental goal setting will allow the group to direct its attention on issues that are critically relevant to the group, thus aiding in avoiding time wastage and indulgence in inappropriate concerns. When a business reaches a compromising solution with its stakeholders, it easily gains competitive advantage over its competitors. According to Schonewille and Merks (2010), managers have to appreciate the existence and applicability of key codes that guide win-win negotiations. The parties have to appreciate the progress made in the entire process even if they do not realize all their expected objectives. Win-win strategies help in eliminating dissatisfaction that may transpire due to skewed resolutions. However, when all parties share the pie, the feeling of losing the objective diminishes.
From the analysis, organizations should inculcate win-win strategies when engaging in any negotiations. The skills involved in this methodology ensure that no party loses in a negotiation. With the current dynamic and global business environment, businesses have to be flexible to accommodate the needs of the stakeholders. In this dimension, striking a balance between the two groups has to be of great importance for continuous growth of businesses. In all contracts, parties want their interests addressed. For example, in a case where suppliers ask for huge amount of money to provide services, the manager has to apply win-win strategies to ensure that the business does not lose the suppliers and, at the same time, ensure that the business makes profit continuously. A win-win negotiation process is a delicate course that calls for effective timing, great listening and communication skills, critical thinking, and the ability to consider the demands of the involved parties. It requires an objective approach in order to avoid favoritism claims at the end of the negotiation. Approaching the entire process with an open mind is vital to the satisfaction of all parties. This approach enables the mediators to explore all the available choices to the conflict. Business continuity requires a flexible approach to ensure overall satisfaction for all stakeholders.
References
Burden, K. (2003). “We’re in it to win it”- negotiating successful outsourcing transactions Introduction. Computer Law & Security Report, 19(6), 478-479.
Fisher, R., & Ury, W. (2011). Getting to yes: Negotiating agreement without giving in. New York, NY: Penguin.
Ghamami, O. (2010, February 25). Win/Win Negotiation Strategies. Web.
Negotiation Techniques: A Win-Win Strategy Is The Best Way for Your Side to Win. (n.d.). Web.
Schonewille, M., & Merks, F. (2010). Gaining ground in difficult negotiations. Antwerpen: Maklu.