COMMUICATION & NEGOTIATION

Question 1

Which forms of communication are you aware of

Answer 1

a. Verbal
b. Electronic
c. Presentations
d. Video calls
e. Non-verbal (body language)

Question 2

What are barriers to effective communication

Answer 2

a.Language barriers
b. Boredom
c. Poor signal/wifi
d. People speaking on top of eachother

Question 3

Please provide an example of your oral communication skills.

Answer 3

a. Site meetings with Contractors - presented work in the meeting
b. Internal presentations - e.g. jct 2024
c. Day to day - meetings, teams calls, in office

Question 4

What are your thoughts on using e-mail as a form of communication?

Answer 4

Emails have a strong legal weight, so we must be careful with them
I always communicate in a professional manner
I am always careful with whose emails I am adding to the email

Question 5

Can you define negotitation

Answer 5

A discussion with the aim of reaching an agreement

Question 6

Explain the process of negotiation

Answer 6

a. Have a discussion
b. Present arguments and evidence
c. Communicate to reach an agreement

Question 7

What are the best practices regarding negotiation and what the available methods

Answer 7

1. Best Practice:
   Understanding the situation and liabilities is crucial to any negotiation
2. Competitive Negotiation:
   Party begins by makes a really low offer compared to its maximum/ acceptable offer.
3. Principle Negotiation:
   Focuses on the mutual interest and tackles the situation through a balanced approach

Question 8

Please explain to me your approach when negotiating in challenging circumstances?

Answer 8

a. Consider matters
b. Compile substantiation/evidence
c. Arrange project/team meeting to discuss
d. Develop a partnering approach, rather than adveserial

Question 9

What makes a successful negotiation?

Answer 9

a. Preparation and collating supporting documentation
b. Each party should have the chance to present their case in a calm forum
c. Each party should politley make proposals
d. Swift agreement of actions in writing and whose actions they are

Question 10

What are the key steps when preparing for a negotiation?

Answer 10

a. Claim notification - Parties notified about what claim items are being sougth
b. Internal research and preparation
c. Orgainisation of the meeting

Question 11

Please provide an example of when you had to handle difficult negotiations.

Answer 11

Agreement of Variations on Newton Road
a. Contractor’s rates were very high for drainage and excavation works on a variation
b. We did background research based and looked at rates for similar activities
c. We informed the contractor and agreed to set up a meeting to discuss
d. We both presented our arguments and came to an agreement
e. This was put in writing in an email swiftly