As project managers, we frequently negotiate with sponsors, staff, vendors and others. Instead of stating your negotiation position, consider expressing your interests instead to ensure a win-win outcome.
For example, if the project sponsor asked for an unreasonable deadline, do not say, “There is no way my project team can pull that off.” By stating your negotiation position right away, you’ll feel insulted if you end up accepting the unreasonable deadline later on. However, if you express your interests first, then both parties can continue to negotiate for a more reasonable agreement.
“I am interested in helping you deliver the project on that date. What can we do together to make it happen?” In doing so, the negotiation becomes amicable for both parties. You can then proceed to negotiate for scope adjustment or resource allocation to meet the deadline.
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On his first week on the job, a former colleague of mine was sent for orientation training. While having dinner at a local bar, two attractive women propositioned him. Because he was married, he politely declined.
Tough economic times dictate that we cut costs. Here are three no-cost team building activities that I learned from Scouting.
Just because your company is cutting costs does not mean that you should cut down on team building and training activities as well. We could all use an occasional low-cost team building activity to lift the team’s spirits—and have the team polish their communication, persuasion and negotiation skills in the process.
The tough economic environment should not be used as an excuse to skip on team building activities. Given all of the negative news around us, now is the best time to lift the team’s morale. Here are three low-cost team building ideas that you can do during lunch breaks.
