(F) information, information and information!

In the class, we learnt that three of the most important elements for good negotiation is information, information and information.

(Of course, we also learnt that there are some other essential elements, such as value creations, summarising (to show understanding) etc.)

The 3 negotiation activities we did in the class, "The Two Oranges", "Louisiana Pine Snake Eggs" and "The last one" all made us realise the importance of information.

In "The Two Oranges" activity, if the person A/B knew the information that flavor comes from the peel, we could easily notice that we can actually share the oranges = win-win.

In the "Louisiana Pine Snake Eggs", if they buyer A and B told each other that they only need yolk and egg white respectively, we could find a way to win-win solution easily.

"The last one" was a little more complicated, but I thought that some invisible clues (for win-win) were hided…

***

Person A

needs a new bike for his/her daughter. She (=the person A's daughter) is the defending champion in the girls division in the bicycle race which is going to be held tomorrow at noon.

Person B

needs a new bike for his/her daughter. He/She wants to give the bike for his/her daughter's birthday in her birthday party at noon tomorrow.

***

Also, B told the shop assistant his/her credit card number on the phone before actually he/she came to this store. = "The last one" was nearly reserved for B.

So some of the possibilities for win-win solution are the following:

1.    B buys "the last one", and helps A with shopping OR takes A to some stores which B visited before coming to this store. (in the negotiation with Sumire, we ended up with this)

B wants the bike because it has the exact colour and size which his/her daughter expects. On the other hand, A wants a bike which is suitable for tomorrow's race. It is preferable if the new bike is exactly the same as the bike stolen some days ago, but it's ok if the colour was different. A have visited 2 stores before coming to this store, but B visited "several", so B might have found a bike which is the same model as "the last one" but not desirable colour for B. (though we cannot know whether B really found such a bike from the paper)

2.    B buys "the last one", and gives the older bike to A.

If the older bike which B's daughter are using/had been using is in good condition and enough for using in the race, B can give A the older bike of his/her daughter.

3.    B buys "the last one", and ask his/her daughter whether it's ok to let A's daughter borrow the bike for the race at noon tomorrow.

A's daughter and B's daughter both go to the same school, and A and B know each other. This means, their daughter may be friends. In which case, B's daughter probably knows the A's daughter's all kinds of situation, and also she probably wants to help A's daughter if it's possible.

There may be other win-win solutions...?:)