Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Page 109
A. Which of these are good ways of dealing with conflict in a negotiation?
1. Smiling a lot
Some places may consider this conciliatory, others provocative. If in doubt, don't smile too
much.
2. Focusing on the issues, not on personalities.
Easier said than done. A good idea in principle, but ideas are often inextricably bound up with
the person expressing them.
3. Speaking calmly and slowly.
Good idea, but don't overdo it. It could sound patronising
4. Sitting back and appearing relaxed.
Again, this may be considered provocative. Discuss with your students if it is possible to have a
facial expression and body language that are 'neutral' in all cultures.
B. Rachel, an American executive, works in a sales office in Geneva, Switzerland. She is
negotiating a salary increase with Scott, a director of the company.
1. What do these figures refer to?
a) $60,000 = Rachel's current salary
b) $120,000 = The salary that Rachel is asking for
2. List the arguments that:
a) Rachel uses to get an increased salary
Thinks she's undervalued; has done well in last two years (exceeded her targets by almost 40%);
none of sales staff has done better than that; Sophie Legrand got a raise to over $100,000 and
hasn't been getting as good results; could move to another company
b) Scott uses to avoid paying her the salary she asks for.
Company in difficult economic situation; got to cut costs; won't discuss other people's salaries
3. What solution do they finally agree on? To raise her salary to $80,000 now and review it again
in six months' time
C. Listen again and complete these extracts.
1. I think I'm worth a lot more than that to the company. My work’s greatly undervalued at the
moment.
2. I've done really well in the last two years. I've exceeded my targets by almost 40% .
3. Put yourself in our shoes. We're facing a difficult economic situation, you know that.
4. OK, I understand what you're saying I can see your point of view .
5. Let me suggest a compromise How about if we give you a n increase to, say, $80,000
now and promise to review your salary in six months' time?
6. I'm pleased to hear it. I think we've covered everything.