Negotiations and Case Analysis
Studying Negotiations and Case Analysis is a challenging experience for many students. Often regarded as one of the toughest subjects on the LPC, it requires critical thinking, analytical skills, and effective communication.
To manage this demanding subject, it's beneficial to practice sample questions as much as possible, engage in group study sessions for diverse perspectives, and have a plan for exam period. Remember, that consistent practice and seeking support from your tutors can make this journey more manageable and rewarding.​ Please don't give up, the course will get easier as it progresses.
Our current selection of NCA notes:
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*Use when new to NCA*
Summarising your university's workbook to be used when beginning to study NCA.
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Includes all the information you need when revising in preparation for your exam.
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Summarising your university's workbook to be used when beginning to study NCA.
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A to-do list to use when writing up your NCA report or before submitting it.
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Key tips for the Negotiations exam:
Reading your question:
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Reading and analysing your exam question, once received should take up most of your time when trying to write up your essay.
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I would start with copying out the entirety of the question into a separate document and start re-arraging it into issues, cutting out any unnecessary information.
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Question each piece of information, and think what could be the reason why it is in your exam scenario, if any. What could the examiner be hoping you would do with this information?
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Take a note of your client, what they wish to achieve and any deadlines.
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Section A - Case Analysis:
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You should aim to have at least four issues, up to a maximum of six or seven.
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Each issue will likely have strengths and weaknesses. In some cases, there may not be any strengths or weaknesses, that is also a possibility, however, it is best to find some for each issue, if possible.
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Include all evidence which would be relevant to each issue, including evidence which features in your question and evidence which you do not yet have, however, you believe, could be useful to strengthen your client's position.
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Section B - Strategy:
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List at least three possible negotiation environments, including the pros and cons for each, applying them to your scenario before concluding on your recommended strategy.
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When listing the objectives, positions and interests, make sure that you separate each of these into a different heading and consider them for both parties, before concluding on any possible ways forward.
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Identifying both parties' BATNAs and WATNAs will help you formulate the parties' currencies and your concessions and your bargaining power. The party with a relatively good WATNA will likely have increased power in the negotiation, as they will be free to walk away.
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When discussing the concessions, make sure that for each concession you recommend, you foresee a reciprocal concession provided from the opposing party.
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Identify a reasonable opening proposal and closing method.
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Section C - Styles and techniques:
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You should anticipate the style used by the opposing party, and use the collaborative style unless you are foreseeing that the opposing side would be competitive
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Recommend techniques which match the negotiation style you have selected.