Dear Readers, We will be continuing from where we Left, our Last Part.
The 5th Example relating to : Negotiating Anything, Any Place : Taking it Personally So Let’s Begin!
This story is related to Sharon who lived with French Family. The people who owned a small farm, where they grew melons.
Periodically, they received phone calls from people interested in buying a melon wholesale. In each instance the offer was rejected.
One day, a boy about 12 years old came in person with a similar request. The same answer followed. Nevertheless, the young wall persisted, following the owner around as he did his chores.
After listening to the child’s personal saga for almost an hour, the farmer paused in the midst of a melon patch.
“Enough!” he said to the boy. “You can have that large one for one franc.“
“I only have 10 centimes,” the boy pleaded.
“Let’s see, at that Price,” the farmer said slyly, winking at Sharon, “How about that little green melon over there?“
“I’ll take it,” he said “However, don’t cut it off the vine yet. My brother will pick it up in 2 weeks. You see, I just do the purchasing. He handles shipping and delivery!” Consider the 6th and Final Example: Let’s say you live in an apartment in a desirable location. It’s the middle of January, and you aren’t getting enough heat. Even your cat is shivering.
Should you complain to the superintendent, building manager, or Landlord? Probably you already have, without getting results. By this time you must realize that I do not believe in approaching anyone in a petulant or aggressive manner.
You never “Complain“, but simply make your needs and circumstances known. Should you come on too strong, the issue shifts from the lack of proper service to your lack of proper manners.
In this Example, it is important to determine whether the indoor arctic climate is widespread. Is this a deliberate attempt by the owner to increase his investment return? Should this be the case, all the tenants must get together to act, so as not to suffer the slings and arrows of an outrageous landlord. In essence, utilize the Power of Commitment.
But let’s make this problem more difficult. Somehow you are the only one affected, and you have tried almost everything — phone calls, letters, governmental agencies, and the local radio station’s Call for Action — all to no avail!
The situation is very serious, and you have exhausted every reasonable approach. Before you go further, determine who is responsible for this continuing condition. For the sake of argument, we’ll say it’s an absentee owner.
Now, find out where he lives. Drop in and visit him, unexpectedly, on a Sunday, when his wife and children are present. Act in a concerned, likeable, low-key manner. Never accuse him of neglect, because he’ll get angry if he loses face in front of his loved ones.
Say the equivalent of, “Look—here’s my situation. I know you aren’t aware of it, because you wouldn’t tolerate it. I have a sick child, and the temperature in my unit is only 62 degrees. What do you think the problem is — a malfunction or defect in the pipes? What can I do? I know you can help me!“
Chances are, on stage, before his family, he won’t ignore your plight.
Moreover, he no longer knows of you as apartment 203, but rather, sees you as a person with very human needs.
There are no universal prescriptions for every specific Negotiation Situation. A particular combination of Facts Exists only at a particular time.
But some general principals always apply.
Keep these 2 things in mind:
- It’s easy for people to shaft others if they don’t see them in personal terms.
- Don’t let yourself become a bloodless statistic: a grain of sand that drops through someone’s fingers and vanishes in a floor crack. Don’t be like Lara in Dr. Zhivago, who became “a nameless number on a list that was mislaid.” People seldom bother with statistics. Their attitude is: “So, number 463 thinks he has a problem? Who cares?“
So Readers, Let’s take a Break here and we will continue with this Example in our Next Part.
“Negotiating Anything, Any Place : Taking it Personally (Part 7)“
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