Communication and negotiation

Question 1

What are the different methods of communications?

Answer 1

• Verbal
• Written
• Body language

Question 2

From your experience why is communication important?

Answer 2

• effective communication is crucial is successful project delivery
• helps resolve any issues
• helps agreeing costs of variation
• essential in contract administration
• helps delivery presentation to the client and form a relationship
• networking
• understanding client’s need
• conflict avoidance

Question 3

How do you ensure an effective communication when working on the project?

Answer 3

• positive can- do attitude
• using combined method of communications – meetings followed by email or meetings minute,
• regular communication with Client and Contractor,
• listen to understand
• ask questions
• try to understand other parties reasoning

Question 4

Types of communication within the business?

Answer 4

1. Internal upward communication – from the Employees to CEO – reports, surveys, general communication and feedback
2. Internal downward communication – from CEO to the Employees
3. Internal lateral communication - Internal lateral business communication happens among employees in the workplace.
4. External communication - is any communication that happens with external parties such as customers, prospects, vendors or partners.

Question 5

How communication impacts on business operation?

Answer 5

• builds a good team
• helps successful project delivery and hence supports business fiancé and customers relations
• good customer management and relation
• set clear goals and expectation
• Reinforce Rules and Regulations

Question 6

How did you ensure an effective communication during Covid-19 pandemic?

Answer 6

• stay in touch with the team on regular basis via phone, email, online meetings
• I send minutes after each meeting
• ensure not to have unnecessary or too long meetings so we all had time to work
• used a combined methods of communication
• started each meeting with a quick hello, how are you moment
• when seeing people under stress I was trying to catch up with them one-to one

Question 7

How did you ensure that your assessment of Contractor’s Application for Payment was clear and logical?

Answer 7

• I tried to understand logic behind Contractor’s assessment and I would ask question if something was unclear or for additional information if not provided.
• provided supporting calculation, reasoning of my assessment of adjustment, referred to relevant contract clauses
• discussed my assessment before issues;
• consulted my assessment with other team members if needed.

Question 8

Types of negotiation style?

Answer 8

• Competing - follows the model of “I win, you lose.” Competitive negotiators tend to do whatever it takes to reach their desired agreement – even when it comes at the expense of another person or entity. They are results-oriented and focused on achieving short-term goals quickly. Their desire for success motivates them, though the process of negotiation can blind them to potentially harmful impacts.
• Avoiding - follows a “I lose, you lose” model. People who identify with the avoiding negotiation style highly dislike conflict and tend to talk in vague terms about the issue at hand rather than the issue itself. If an agreement is reached and an avoiding negotiator dislikes the outcome, they may try to take revenge on the opposite party before the party even knows that they were unhappy with the agreement.
• Accommodating - An accommodating negotiating style follows the “I lose, you win” model – which does not seem to be in a negotiator’s best interest. Accommodating negotiators are the direct opposite of competitive negotiators. They focus on preserving relationships and building a friendly rapport by sacrificing some of their company’s interests in favor of the opposite party’s interests.
• Compromising - follows a “I win/lose some, you win/lose some” model. When reaching the terms of the agreement, compromisers often relinquish some terms in favor of gaining others.
• Collaborating - follows the “I win, you win” model. Collaborative negotiators focus on making sure all parties have their needs met in an agreement. They value strengthening, establishing, and building relationships without compromising their company’s best interests.

Question 9

What techniques do you use when negotiating CEs value?

Answer 9

I would describe my negation style as collaborating as I always focusing on problem solving and fairness in any assessment. Firstly, I always ensure that I am prepared when negotiating CEs – I will understand the contractor assessment and prepare my own assessment with a key point to discuss. Then I would send my assessment to the Contractor prior to the meeting to give them a time to review and understand it. When at the meeting with the contractor I will ensure to stay calm and professional and respectful to others. However, if the other party would not delivery the same I would most likely re-schedule the meeting. I would present my argument clearly and logically and focus on one item at the time. I would admit when my assessment wasn’t correct.

Question 10

How do you encourage collaborative approach?

Answer 10

• identify people and their personality and preferences
• identify people’s strengths and weaknesses
• ensure that I understand role of each team member and establish realistic expectations
• use collaboration tools
• include all relevant parties
• we can do it attitude
• positivity
• listen