Continuing Professional Development
Improving your negotiation skills
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This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
This course will enable you to develop more effective negotiation skills in your own work setting. It’s particularly suitable for managers who would like to improve this aspect of their work, or who are becoming more actively involved in negotiating roles. You’ll explore stages of negotiation and a variety of negotiation techniques, as well as alternatives to negotiation through activities including case studies and scenarios. The course will be of interest to:
- first-line and middle managers in large organisations
- those who have a management role in smaller organisations
- organisations seeking to improve working relationships.
Course content
Almost all jobs require some negotiation skills. The most successful negotiators are good communicators and are recognisably fair. They understand when to make demands and what they can give away. Without skilful negotiation, many business developments will not progress and working relationships may become strained. This course provides the skills you need to become an effective negotiator. By the end of your studies, you should be able to:
- explain what negotiation is
- understand what the alternatives are and when they may be appropriate
- recognise that negotiation can be looked on as a process of trading
- know the stages of a negotiation and have considered how to prepare for these
- know how to analyse where power lies in a negotiation process
- appreciate that there are ways to deal with difficult people during negotiations.
The strong link between course learning and your work practice creates relevant, enduring and transferable outcomes. It requires no more than 30 hours of your time in total, over whatever period suits you. But the learning is far richer than more expensive one- to three-day workshops. Register online today and start tomorrow – no need to wait!
The course features the distinctive strengths of The Open University (OU) from its years of expertise in work-based learning:
- The convenience of accessing its clearly presented and sequenced materials, activities and support whenever suits you and wherever you have access to the protected course website – if you prefer, you can print key materials to work on them offline.
- The support of an expert learning adviser who can clarify course materials, answer questions and help you relate the course to your specific needs.
- A work-based activity helping you to connect the course to your individual and organisational context and needs. At the end of the course you send this to the learning adviser, who provides personal feedback.
- Certification of completion from the OU for those who complete the course. You can use this to demonstrate your continuing professional development (CPD) activity to your employer and/or professional body. (N.B. The course does not carry academic credit points.)
Entry
Although there are no formal academic requirements to study any of our CPD courses, you are expected to have some familiarity with the subject.
For each course you can register and begin at any time during the life of the course. You can study at your own pace and submit your work-based activity at any date before the final submission date for the course. Information about the submission date is available when you register for the course.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The course is delivered online. Learners who use screen readers or who cannot use a mouse will not be able to access some course material or some course activities without assistance. If you are a new learner with the OU, make sure that you have our booklet Meeting Your Needs. You can obtain a copy by contacting our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Course materials
What's included
Once you register you will receive access to the online course, where you will find the content, exercises, case study, information about the work-based activity and links to your learning adviser. There are no printed materials with this course, although there are some articles that you can download to print and read offline if you prefer.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Learner support
Expert, confidential learner support is available when you need it from a learning adviser, who will respond to you direct within 24 hours. Other support is available via the course forum, library, StudentHome website and computing helpdesk.
Work-based activity
For the work-based activity for this course you will be able to construct a practical and useful future plan for your practice that draws on the work you have done on the course.
Professional recognition
Successful completion of the course enables us to recognise your achievement of the course learning by issuing an OU certificate, which you can use to document your commitment to continuing professional development in your personal portfolio or to provide evidence to employers or professional body.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
Study explained
- Special fee arrangements
- - the OU has relationships with many professional bodies, and as part of those relationships members may be entitled to special fee arrangements.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
Got a question?
Contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service
Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90
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