5th July 2009 – Lesson 4
10 July 2009
Did not turn up for the third lesson. Thus, I wasn’t aware of how the class is being conducted. But I heard my friends said they were practicing for the negotiation test, which will be held on today. I felt so nervous and kept asking my friends about the negotiation test progress. When I reached the class, we were told to check who our partner is and my partner was Fang Xiao Yuan and our negotiation test was conducted by Ms. Linda at 11.30am. As we had settled down, Ms. Linda explained the rules and regulations for the negotiation test, and she also asked us to read an article called “What Makes a Leader?” and based on that article, we have to do a précis for it.
I was so nervous about the negotiation test because I got no idea on how to present and do well on it. Moreover, I was also afraid of what kind of situation will be given to us for the negotiation test. At around 11am, my partner and I went to take the planning worksheet which needs to be filled in before our turn for the negotiation test. We then went to another room for our discussion on how to communicate for the situation given to us while waiting for our turn for the negotiation test. I played the role of Yau, who was a researcher department and was required to solve the problems that occur between the supplier and researcher department. I did not really understand what was going on and I asked other friends who was also in the same classroom with me about it. While my partner and I were still discussing the steps we are going to present to Ms. Linda, times up and it was our turn for the negotiation test.
During the test, because of not being well-prepared, I kept repeating the same points and couldn’t give a good and satisfaction proposal. We’ve ended up our negotiation in about 5 minutes time and I knew I have done badly on it. Ms. Linda still gave us a chance to negotiate about it but I still failed to do that. Before we left the room, Ms. Linda told us our mistakes and weak point.