Communication and Negotiation Flashcards
What are examples of good communication?
1) Clear and concise
2) Verbal followed up with written
3) Use of visual aids
Please can you define communication?
The exchanging of information by speaking, writing or some other medium.
Please can you define negotiation?
A discussion to reach a compromise or agreement. Through facilitated discussions, parties agree to settle a dispute.
What are the advantages of oral communication, please provide at least 2?
1) Parties are able to interpret tone of voice
2) Can read body language to understand emotions
3) Easier to ask questions for clarification
4) Able to understand if the recipient has understood the message
What are the advantages of written communication, please provide at least 2?
1) A record of agreements are made, which can be used in the event of a dispute
2) Able to use visual aids to explain complicated messages
3) Information can be circulated to multiple parties quickly
When issuing the response to a notice of delay, what relevant documentation was issued with it and why?
The response made reference to various documents such as the door schedule, detail drawings and specification clauses. Rather than reciting said documents, I felt the response was far more streamlined by referring to the documents and appending a backup folder.
When you disagreed with the subcontractors position for the application of painting, please could you take me through the process of negotiating the variation value.
1) Send them a written explanation to how I arrived at the figure I had, including all calculations and data sheets and made it clear on our position.
2) Set up a meeting to run through both of our positions
3) Understood the route of our disagreement was due to the output of paint, managers advise v data sheet
4) Knowing we had more paint works to go using the new paint, i suggested a sample was carried out where we recorded the number of paint tins used to complete the works
5) This was agreed, and we were able to determine the number of tins used per M2
6) This figure was used to agree the quotation reducing their position much closer to ours.
7) All parties walked away satisfied/happy.
Have you ever been in a position where a negotiation was not going well, if so, how did you respond to this?
No, but if I was I would ensure that I remain calm, objective and ethical.
Outside of your write ups, please can you provide another example of when you have demonstrated good negotiation skills?
1) Residential project, drylining L&E due to delay
2) Subcontractor priced the overall staff cost less the contract allowance
3) Their position was £500k and ours was £260k
4) I advised the correct way was to pay for the staff during the delay period
5) This was not disputed and we agreed a prolongation figure of £300k
