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8 Methods of Resolving Conflict

• Here are '8 Methods of Resolving Conflict' - Do you know all your options?

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• Conflict is an everyday part of life in the UK Grocery Industry. Discounters are growing. New stores are hard to come by. Employees want salary raises. Bosses want bonuses. Shoppers expect value for money. Resolving these conflicts is an essential part of life in the UK Grocery Industry.

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1. Unilateral decision

• No, we're not giving in, that's it'. We've all heard the stories of a big brand and a supermarket getting to the point where one has made a decision to delist the product or stop supply of the product until the other party yields.

• Advantage: Shows strength and resolve.• Disadvantage: The other party may call your bluff and

it is not good for long term relationships.

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2. Persuasion

• 'It's a no-brainer, you should do it'. Persuading someone to do something that they may not want to do is a skill that can be learnt.

• Top tips from the experts are – 1. Actively listen to their point, – 2. Find common ground, and – 3. Use the power of 'because’

• Advantage: It's free.• Disadvantage: Success is usually low, unless you are a persuasive

master!

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3. Haggling/Bartering

• 'I'll meet you halfway'. Most of us haggle when we go to the markets, where it is the norm. In the UK we sometimes haggle when we want to agree something and we believe we are negotiating, but we are not, we are haggling.

• Advantage: Haggling is a sound method for resolving conflict, just don't believe that it is negotiating.

• Disadvantage: It will cost you 'meeting half way'.

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4. Arbitration

• 'Ok, let's ask them for their opinion'. Not something we hear much of in the UK Grocery Industry, unless the 'Competitions and Markets Authority' are involved. Occasionally you might hear, 'Let's get another perspective on this', which is very valid.

• Advantage: An effective method of resolving a conflict.• Disadvantage: You might lose because it is 50:50.

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5. Postponement

• ‘We'll come back to this at the next meeting with a plan'. – Our observations of learners on our negotiation skills training course is that most

people looking to resolve a conflict opt for agreeing that a plan will be presented at the next meeting. This is usually a postponement where the two parties come back to the original points once again, with, again little resolution.

• Advantage: Sometimes a postponement allows people to 'cool off' and/or revisit the problem another way.

• Disadvantage: Postponements that are used to get away from dealing with the problem are not useful to resolving the conflict.

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6. Problem solve

• 'I've got an idea, how about if we...?'. Problem solving is where the majority of conflict resolution takes place.

• Advantage: A mutually beneficial solution is a great way to solve conflict because both parties usually win.

• Disadvantage: You may not find a suitable solution for both parties and it requires both parties to want to problem solve.

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7. Total Surrender

• 'Ok, we'll agree to the deal'. Total Surrender is where one party gives in to the other party by giving up, waving the white flag and agreeing to the other party's demands.

• Advantage: The advantages of this method are limited and probably narrowed to the fact that you might get some payback in a later deal.

• Disadvantage: You lose the lot!

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8. Negotiation

• 'If you...then I...'. This tool is very simple and is a must in any negotiators' toolbox. If you do something for me, then I will do something for you. We see negotiating as trading. Yes, there' s a lot more to it. Essentially it is about 'giving to get'. Trading what you have for what they have to get and aiming for a win:win outcome

• Advantage: Both parties can win.• Disadvantage: The better negotiator gets more.

Our 'Negotiating with Buyers' Masterclass will help.

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What do we do?

A typical People Development programme with a supplier to the big four UK supermarkets consists of a combination of the items that helps suppliers to achieve their business objectives.

Try our popular Negotiation Skills

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Where next?

• Get a much better return on your investment with 'Sticky Learning'.

• Start 'small' with a 1/2 day Masterclass for up to 12 people - There are 4 to choose from for only £750+vat.

• 7 ways to get better traction with your UK supermarket buyer

• Making Business Matter,Sticky Learning House5 Cheshire RoadThame,OXFORDSHIRE,OX9 3LQ

• Telephone: 0333 247 2012• Email: helpme@makingbusinessmatter.co.uk

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