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Lesson 01: Negotiation Overview
Why is Negotiation Important?
Negotiation occurs in every aspect of life. From business negotiations to deciding what movie to see with friends, your ability to negotiate matters. The most effective people use persuasion to get people to work toward the accomplishment of goals. Persuasion involves negotiation. Our definition of negotiation is the process that occurs when two parties try to come to a mutually acceptable agreement concerning a difficult conflict.
You are fortunate to be taking a course in negotiation. Not all colleges/universities offer such a course. The knowledge you gain from this course will save you time, money, and frustration. It will also help you with career advancement.
Skylar was being offered her first job out of college. Because Skylar did not realize she was in a negotiation situation, she took the company’s first offer. It was not until years later when Skylar discovered that her starting salary was much lower than a fellow employee who had the same position, but counter-offered the company’s initial salary proposal. Skylar was making less than a fellow employee. From that point on, Skylar recognized the importance of negotiation and made sure to negotiate raises and promotions!
It used to be that when you became employed by a company, you stayed with that company for decades and often retired from this company. Not so anymore. With downsizing and technology, you will likely work for many companies throughout your career. You may even switch industries a few times. Every new position requires new relationships, new ways of working, AND, you guessed it, negotiation. In order to negotiate, you need to learn to ask questions and gather information. It is from this information that you are then in a position to negotiate.
Critical Thinking
In what ways will the knowledge you gain from this course help improve your livelihood? Reflect upon the last 24 hours. Did you find yourself having to negotiate? Think about the upcoming 24 hours. What event(s) in your life are you going to have to negotiate in order to come to a mutually acceptable agreement with someone else?