mediator houston articles and resources for business owners, farmers, ranchers, and executives

Conflict Resolution Professionals!

Did you know there are over seven million privately owned companies in North America?

Connect with the universe of family owned companies who need your services as a professional who speaks their language!

Add your profile to our directory of professionals right now.



How To Negotiate Like A Pro With Your Boss
By Mary Greenwood
Copyright 2006 Mary Greenwood

Negotiating with your boss can be a little tricky because you are not on equal footing. Since there is always the chance there could be repercussions for speaking out, an employee usually won’t tell his boss what he is really thinking. Anyway, let’s assume that you want to get a raise or a promotion. Here are some of the rules you can use to negotiate with your boss.

1. Focus On The Goal; Don’t be Distracted By Emotions.

It is especially important not to let your emotions interfere with a request to your boss. If you are angry because you were passed over for a promotion or did not get the raise you think you deserved, it is not a good idea to immediately go to your boss’s office and demand a meeting. You will appear to be out of control, which you probably are, and the boss will probably be glad he made the decision he did.

2. Know What You Want and Know What You’re Worth.

It is very important that you know what you want when you speak with your boss about a wage increase or any other benefit. If the boss asks you, “How much do you want?” you need to have an answer rehearsed. This is not a time to hesitate unless your are caught completely off-guard. Be careful with the figure that you give him. Don’t make it too little so that you kick yourself later for not asking for more. Don’t make it too much so the boss thinks that you are greedy and unrealistic. If you are asked why you deserve the raise, do not say, “I don’t know.” This needs to be rehearsed so that you can give a reasoned answer any time any place.

3. Have A Plan B.

If you have your heart set on getting a raise or promotion, you still need to have a Plan B. First you have to decide whether you are going to stay in the position anyway or

Our articles continue...


start looking for a new job if you don’t get the raise or promotion. Even if you decide that you are going to look for a new job, don’t be too quick to quit the old job. However, you may want to look at your current job in a new light so that whatever new experience you get should help you prepare for a new job.

4. Never Give Or Take No For An Answer.

Your boss may tell you right away that you are not getting a promotion or raise. If you accept that you are not getting it, then that is the end of the meeting. Perhaps you can suggest some alternatives. If you don’t get the raise, perhaps you can at least get a title change. Maybe you can get the extra duties but get the raise in three months? Maybe you could get extra vacation days instead of a raise? There are endless possibilities. If you suggest some alternatives to your boss, perhaps one will stick. If your boss still says no, then you may need to go to Plan B

5. Walk Away.

There may be instances where you decide that you have to just walk away. If the boss is not willing to give you the raise you thought you deserved, you may decide that this is not the boss or company you want to work for anymore. Just make sure this decision is not made in haste while you are still angry about your boss’s decision. If you do walk away, have a plan so you know how you will proceed. It is the conventional wisdom that it is harder to find a job when you no longer have one. Give yourself some time to make this final decision. You do not want to come into your boss’ office on Monday and beg for your job back. You would not be in a position of strength. If you do walk away, be sure you have thought it through.

Article Source: http://www.articlemap.com

Mary Greenwood, J.D., LL.M: Arbitrator, Mediator, Author of How to Negotiate like a Pro, 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes Order at www.barnesandnoble.com or www.amazon.com or www.booksamillion.com ; Email me at: Howtonegotiate@aol.com. Visit www.Howtonegotiatelikeapro.com or www.Marygreenwood.com





Here are some more mediation articles...

A Property Is Only Sold When The Buyer And The Seller Disagree On Its Value!
By James Delrojo
Whether you are buying a property or selling a property, if you understand how to capitalize on the "value disagreement" principle then you will be able to increase your profit Read more...
Managing Conflict: Differences In Opinion
By Valentina Ibeachum
Conflicts can arise from the smallest things to more major issues that might have an impact on the couple's finances, health, children, hopes, dreams, and so on. Most of the time, conflicts Read more...
Toyota Denies Negotiations With Ford
By Mark Clarkson
Toyota Motor Corp. confirmed that its chairman Fujio Cho met with Ford Motor Co. President and CEO Alan Mulally in Tokyo. However, Toyota denies the report written in Japanese newspaper that it Read more...
How to Handle Business Disputes
By StartRunGrow
Suggestions for Handling DisputesAny conflicts involving customers, employees or suppliers, or a partner, is very disruptive. Disputes and conflicts cannot be allowed to escalate because Read more...
mediator houston news:

Some businesspeople shouldn’t market themselves

Well, That Didn’t Work

Vacation

Oh The Wait, She Kills Me

Marketing To My People Part 4

Blogs & Journalists

Marketing To My People Part 3

Tiger impressions

Bad documentation strikes again

All I Want Is A Simple Contact Manager



With Mediator, Boeing and Union to Renew Contract Talks
Negotiations to end a 45-day machinists union strike against the Boeing Company will resume with a federal mediator in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Mugabe’s Latest Betrayal
It will take a lot more international pressure to force President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe to respect a power-sharing deal with Morgan Tsvangirai.
Former Finnish President Wins Nobel Peace Prize
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/11/world/europe/11nobel.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss"><img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/10/11/world/11nobel_75.jpg" border="0" height="75" width="75" hspace="4" align="left"></a>Martti Ahtisaari has worked to end conflicts in troubled spots around the world for more than three decades.
Companies Unlikely to Use Arbitration With Each Other
This week, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case about the enforceability of arbitration agreements.
Zimbabwe Rivals Strike a Bargain to Share Power
It was unclear what a deal between the opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe entails.
Study Finds Settling Is Better Than Going to Trial
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/08/business/08law.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss"><img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/08/08/business/lawsuit75.jpg" border="0" height="75" width="75" hspace="4" align="left"></a>A study of civil lawsuits has found that most of the plaintiffs who decided to pass up a settlement offer and went to trial ended up getting less money.
Swimmer Pulls Out, Upsetting Her Rivals
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/02/sports/olympics/02swim.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss"><img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/08/02/sports/olympics/02swim.75.jpg" border="0" height="75" width="75" hspace="4" align="left"></a>Jessica Hardy withdrew from the United States swim team, declining to pursue an appeal after a failed drug test.
Change in Arbitration Panels Will Allow Investors Only
Investors who think they have been wronged by brokers will be able to have their cases heard by panels consisting only of their peers, with no industry participants.
Talks to Start on Zimbabwe Crisis
South Africa is hoping to convene negotiations between Zimbabwe’s feuding political parties on Tuesday, one day after their leaders met face to face.
Zimbabwe Rivals Tentatively Begin Talks on Political Crisis
The talks between President Robert Mugabe’s ruling party and the opposition are preliminary, but their start is a victory for South African Thabo Mbeki, the regional mediator.
Qatar, Playing All Sides, Is a Nonstop Mediator
In an increasingly divided Arab world, the Qataris have fashioned a reputation as independent arbitrators.
Complex Ties Lead Ally Not to Condemn Mugabe
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/27/world/africa/27mbeki.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss"><img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/06/27/world/zimbabwe_7575.jpg" border="0" height="75" width="75" hspace="4" align="left"></a>South Africa’s president, Thabo Mbeki, is convinced that he can resolve the Zimbabwe crisis through patient negotiations with Robert Mugabe.
Canada Offers an Apology for Native Students’ Abuse
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/12/world/americas/12canada.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss"><img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/06/12/world/school.75.jpg" border="0" height="75" width="75" hspace="4" align="left"></a>The Canadian government apologized for forcing about 150,000 native children into government-financed residential schools where many suffered physical and sexual abuse.
Israel Holds Peace Talks With Syria
The governments confirmed that Israel and Syria have begun indirect peace talks, mediated by Turkey, aimed at reaching a comprehensive accord.
Advice From White House Is Not Always Followed
Israel’s decision to enter into peace talks with Syria is at odds with the course counseled by the White House.