Week 1

I enjoy the class exercises and find them very helpful in understanding the negotiation concepts.

The "prisoner's dilemma" exercise was very interesting. I found that after the first discussion session before round 5, all members of our group agreed to choose "Y" so that everyone can be rewarded and triple their points. However, some group members lied in the other rounds so that they could maximize their points.  I think this can be applied to real life in ethics. In business there are many opportunities when an individual can lie to gain something and cause others to lose, however it is unethical.

The used car exercise was interesting as well. Lauren and I did come to an agreement on $8,500. However, our negotiation went pretty quickly. She told me the price that she was asking for it which was $9,800. I said that there was no way that I was going to be able to pay that price and said that I could afford $6,000. I also stated that I was looking at another vehicle that is less money and would be better in the winter and so on. She then lowered to price to $9,200. I laughed and said you're still not coming low enough for me. So she asked me what is the absolute highest that I can go. This question caught be off guard. I realize that I didn't HAVE to tell the truth, but it was my first instinct. I said that my absolute highest price would be $8,500 and she said, "well that was easy, that is what I need too." After completing the negotiation, we listened to other teams negotiating. Watching other teams made me realize other things that I could have said and facts that I could have brought up.

All in all, my negotiating skills need some work.