Business practices

Today, we live in a new and exciting environment; one in which all of us are exposed to other cultures and individuals. It is a world of technology, and advancement through technology to explore new opportunities and experiences in both our personal and professional lives. As such, there are choices to be made pertaining to the path you, as a college student, will explore after graduation.

The world is changing and with it, we are all challenged to be faced with the change. For example, in the past or as some refer to it as “the old days,” families lived in one area and did not move away. For the most part, families stayed within their own perimeters of culture. Neighborhoods were self-segregated instead of integrated.

Your “term paper” will allow you to utilize all of the elements of the planning, communication and negotiation processes presented in the course lectures and textbook. You will be expected to apply your creative thinking process to develop a scenario in the questions presented.

Requirements: Your paper must be typed using APA style. It should be 3 to 5 pages in length, plus a reference page and a title page. (An abstract is not required.) Type the term paper in Times New Roman 12 font, double-spaced, with 1″ margins on all sides. Include a running header. A minimum of three references are required and must be cited inside the paper. (parenthetically) and on your reference page.

Scenario and questions for term paper:

Imagine you are working in a business after you graduate (you choose the business), and are asked to support the closing of a deal which will help your career and the success of the company. You are bidding against an imagined competitor company. The meeting for the deal is overseas, where you do not speak the local language, but the discussions are all done in English. Lucky you, the company purchased your ticket in business class! This is a flight you will enjoy.

How do you set up for success during this one-week business trip and contract negotiations? What plans, strategies, and actions do you initially make? Then tell me how using communication and negotiation strategies you plan to win favorable terms for this contract and win it for your company and your career. Consider verbal and non-verbal styles of communication, styles of persuasion and negotiation, ideas to influence across the bargaining table, build rapport and more. Additionally, add details about what challenges you think might arise in this global setting and how you can overcome them.

Extra credit or better scores will be given to students whose papers contain additional considerations, such as possible gender bias (your gender), and or cultural bias (your culture) for the negotiations. One last option, for which I will also provide you a better grade, is to turn the tables to address the same questions above, as if you are a member of the opposite gender. Demonstrate how you believe this (being your opposite gender) could change the process and outcome for the better or worse.

The objective here is to get you to understand planning strategy, communication, and negotiation techniques required in a global society. Utilizing social media, your imagination, negotiation techniques which you have studied, internet, library, personal contacts, real or imagined mentors and line managers, and more, prepare your term paper.