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View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

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you want them to do and feel comfortable. It approaches people from a positive point <strong>of</strong><br />

VIew.<br />

The negotiation process, also known as the negotiation dance, is the events and<br />

interaction that occur between parties before the outcome, including all the verbal and<br />

nonverbal interchange, bargaining strategies, external or situational events affecting the<br />

negotiators, the degree and level <strong>of</strong>concessions, the use <strong>of</strong>threats and promises and the<br />

medium <strong>of</strong> communication. Thompson (1998:10) also suggests three ways to control<br />

the process <strong>of</strong> negotiation. The first one is to plan the opening statement or <strong>of</strong>fer,<br />

though sometimes it is preferable to let the opponent make the first <strong>of</strong>fer Next, the<br />

medium <strong>of</strong> communication should be selected among those already mentioned. Lastly,<br />

although it is not possible to predict how the process will take place, it is advisable to<br />

have an idea <strong>of</strong> how the process will unfold and the pace it will take. Sometimes we<br />

should guard against wanting to solve the problem immediately because <strong>of</strong>the pressure.<br />

STANDARD NEGOTIATION STRATEGIES<br />

Every negotiation is done with the aim <strong>of</strong> achieving a certain goal or goals. For<br />

this reason there are various strategies that are used to achieve this goal at the<br />

bargaining table. However, they should all be preceded by good preparation. Good<br />

strategies can facilitate your success while the wrong ones will make negotiation<br />

difficult. Therefore it is important to know the strategies because they may be used<br />

against you.<br />

The Win / Win Strategy<br />

Fuller (1991 :86) says, "General negotiation strategy is usually classified as<br />

being a winlwinjoint problem-solving approach or a strict adversarial proceeding." The<br />

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