L4M5 Questions and Answers

Lina is asking a probing question to gather more detailed information on the actions GBG is taking to address quality issues. Probing questions are intended to delve deeper into a topic and elicit specific details, making them suitable for understanding underlying issues, as per CIPS’s negotiation question types.

Different questioning styles can be used to elicit desired responses:

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Integrative negotiation emphasises maximising joint outcomes and pursuing shared goals, moving beyond narrow self-interest. Unlike distributive negotiations, it does not focus on short-term wins or zero-sum positions. Instead, integrative strategies build sustainable value and strengthen partnerships. Maximising the other party’s outcome alone is more accommodative than integrative. Therefore, true integrative practice balances both parties’ interests for long-term gain.

An oligopoly exists when there are small number of producers that exert a significant influence in the market. Oligopoly's main characteristics are discussed as follows:

- Interdependence

The most important feature of oligopoly is the interdependence in decision¬-making of the few firms which comprise the industry. This is because when the number of competi¬tors is few, any change in price, output, product etc. by a firm will have a direct effect on the fortune of its rivals, which will then retaliate in changing their own prices, output or products as the case may be.

- Importance of advertising and selling costs

A direct effect of interdependence of oligopolists is that the various firms have to employ various aggressive and defensive marketing weapons to gain a greater share in the market or to prevent a fall in their market share. For this various firms have to incur a good deal of costs on advertising and on other measures of sales promotion. Therefore, there is a great importance of advertising and selling costs under conditions of market situation characterised by oligopoly

- Group behaviour

Another important feature of oligopoly is that for the proper solution to the problem of determination of price and output under, it analysis of group behaviour is impor-tant.

- Indeterminateness of demand curve facing an oligopolist

In this question, 'Prices in oligopoly are predicted to fluctuate widely and frequently' is an incorrect statement as producers in oligopoly often try to set up price. Prices fluctuate more frequently in perfect competition.

LO 2, AC 2.2

In the scenario, the value of contract as well as the importance of purchased item justify the procurement's travel. Visiting a supplier at their HQ or operational facility may facilitate the procurement team in assessing, albeit briefly, the culture of the organisation, how busy they seem and how staff engage with each other. A visit is a good opportunity to assess supplier's capacity.

LO 2, AC 2.2

Post-negotiation analysis should include performance evaluation, learning outcomes, and a comparison of achieved results versus original objectives. These elements contribute to continuous improvement and future strategy development.

Macroeconomic factors like inflation, interest rates, and currency fluctuations can significantly affect pricing and contractual terms. Buyers and suppliers must account for these factors during negotiations, particularly in long-term or high-value contracts.

A collaborative negotiation approach is explicitly designed to achieve win–win outcomes, where both parties work together to maximise joint value. This approach is closely associated with integrative negotiation, emphasising trust, information sharing, and joint problem-solving. Distributive and adversarial approaches are win–lose, focusing on dividing value rather than creating it. “Collective” is not a recognised CIPS negotiation approach. Collaborative negotiation is particularly suitable where long-term relationships, shared objectives, or strategic partnerships are important.

Distributive bargainingfocuses onmaximizing one's own gainat the expense of the other party. Common tactics includewithholding informationandcoercion. It is typically used in zero-sum negotiations where parties compete over a fixed value.

“Tactics in distributive bargaining include withholding key information, making extreme opening offers, and using pressure to achieve concessions. These are aimed at maximizing individual outcomes.”

(L4M5 Commercial Negotiation, 2nd edition, Section 3.5 - Tactics of Distributive Bargaining)

In order to break vicious cycle of blame, procurement will need to use their negotiation and conflict management skills, adopting a collaborative and integrative approach. Your first action should be to establish the facts that led to the situation where the relationship broke down. Most day-to-day relationship between buying organisations and suppliers do not of course involve procurement staff, so you will need to consult with your business partners internally to establish their point of view of where the issue and sources of conflict are. You should also contact the supplier and get their side of the story - this is particularly to when you have previously identified the supplier as critical or otherwise important to your operations. Ideally you will be able to apply principled negotiation here, separating the people from the issue, focusing on interests and not positions, and then looking for options of mutual benefits.

Delivering on commitments is fundamental to building high-trust relationships. When an organization reliably fulfills its promises, it reinforces the supplier’s confidence in the partnership, fostering long-term collaboration. While contract management and audits are supportive processes, delivering on commitments directly strengthens trust, as emphasized in CIPS best practices for relationship management.

A useful and simple shorthand for preferred negotiation styles is summarised by four simple descriptor: 'warm', 'tough', 'logical' and 'dealer', which can be applied to describe individuals' dominant preferred style in most circumstances.

Warm - a people person

Tough - a hard-nosed negotiator

Logic - a numbers person

Dealer - a trader who loves bargaining

Strengths, weaknesses of logical style are described below:

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The Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is an introspective self-report questionnaire indicating differing psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions. MBTI indicates personality preferences in four dimensions.

The Thomas–Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) is a conflict style inventory, which is a tool developed to measure an individual's response to conflict situations.

Mill's RESPECT mnemonic is set out by Harry A. Mills which describes seven steps to agreements

An intelligence quotient (IQ) is a total score derived from a set of standardized tests designed to assess human intelligence.

Integrative, interest-based negotiation can facilitate constructive, positive relationship and establish contracts between parties on a foundation of goodwill. It is important to note it can only facilitate these positive outcomes, it does not guarantee that the other party will not seek to be opportunistic at a later time during the life of the contract. Previous knowledge of the behaviours of the other party regarding honouring contractual and other commitments will be useful here in predicting long-term outcomes, not ensuring that they will not leverage their advantages.

Integrative negotiation is a negotiation strategy in which the involved parties work together to find a solution that satisfies the needs and concerns of each. This process often involves group brainstorming and creative thinking for individuals to suggest different ideas that benefit both parties.

Compromising is often common in integrative negotiation, and both sides may need to give up certain needs to reach a solution. Honesty can also promote successful integrative negotiation because it can lead to a comprehensive understanding of the issue and what each party needs to be satisfied with the result.

A collaborative relationship is characterized by mutual commitment, which enhances risk management and strategic planning between buyer and supplier. High levels of trust and commitment enable both parties to work closely to achieve shared objectives, creating a beneficial negotiation environment. This approach aligns with CIPS’s principles of collaborative procurement relationships.

While face-to-face meetings are beneficial, declining all other forms of interaction can hinder progress. Telephone calls can be effective in early negotiation stages to build rapport and set expectations. Conditioning the client through initial calls is a common and productive practice.

A supply curve will slope upward from left to right showing more supply at higher prices, as illustrated in the graph below:

A movement along the supply curve will be brought about by a change in price, but a shift of the whole curve will be caused by a determinant other than price:

- The physical feasibility and time and energy required to produce the products

- Technology and innovation

- The objectives of the producers and their future expectations

- Prices of other goods and services

- Government's policies

LO 2, AC 2.2

Currency exchange rates are determined by macroeconomic factors and demand and supply. In general, countries with stable political and economic systems, a growing economy and a strong rule of law will have stronger and more stable currency than those without these characteristics. In this question, the British Pound is stronger than other currency, which means that buyers who import goods from the UK have to pay higher in their own currencies.

LO 2, AC 2.2

Consultation involves actively involving stakeholders or counterparties in decision-making. By seeking input, it fosters a sense of ownership, increasing commitment to negotiated outcomes. It is particularly effective when the negotiator has low positional power, as it shifts dynamics from authority to collaboration. Unlike coercion or compliance tactics, consultation builds engagement and long-term trust, which is critical in complex procurement where buy-in is essential for contract success. CIPS stresses its role in building influence where direct authority is limited.

Integrative negotiationfocuses onmutual gainand long-term collaboration. It seeks tomaximize joint outcomesand encourages parties to align interests andpursue shared goals. This contrasts with distributive tactics that prioritize individual wins and short-term gains.

“Integrative negotiations aim to create outcomes where both parties benefit. Shared problem-solving, information exchange, and joint goal pursuit are central features of this approach.”

(L4M5 Commercial Negotiation, 2nd edition, Section 1.1 - Principles of Integrative Negotiation)

Distributive negotiation carries several risks beyond justlosing out on value. These includedamaging supplier relationships,eroding trust, andreaching an impasse, where neither party can agree. This could result in delayed projects, increased costs, or supplier withdrawal.

“Distributive negotiation can lead to a breakdown in communication, impasses, and long-term relationship damage. The win-lose mindset can prevent collaborative problem-solving.”

(L4M5 Commercial Negotiation, 2nd edition, Section 3.5 - Risks of Distributive Approaches)

Mark-up and margin allow supplier to make gross profit. Remember that every supplier operates under different cost structures and some are set up to be most profitable at a particular level of volume, so it is dangerous to assume all suppliers can survive on a lower margin if their volume increases. Intelligent buyers understand that mark-up and margin may define gross profits, but they tell you very little about a supplier's net profits.

LO 2, AC 2.1

While stakeholder feedback is crucial, meetings are not always the most effective review method. Reviews may be better conducted through reports, surveys, or individual debriefs, depending on context. The key is to capture lessons learned, successes, and areas for improvement, and to record them for future negotiations. Forcing all stakeholders into one meeting risks inefficiency or unproductive blame games. CIPS stresses structured reflection and documentation as best practice, ensuring organisational learning and preparation improvements.

Referent power is based on personal relationships and the respect or admiration one earns within an organization. Given Mike’s positive relationships and his rapport with team members and other departments, he is most likely to have referent power. This power type is influential in negotiation as people are more willing to work with someone they respect, as outlined in CIPS power dynamics in negotiation.

Absorption costing is an approach to allocating overheads in which indirect costs are loaded or absorbed into direct costs related to specific jobs, processes or outputs, using an estimated basis of allocation.

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Negotiating at the supplier's site can give the supplier a psychological advantage due to their familiarity with the setting. To ensure a neutral and balanced negotiation environment, it’s preferable to conduct negotiations in a neutral location or through structured channels, as recommended in CIPS's guidance on negotiation settings.

In a Win/Win or integrative negotiation approach, the goal is to achieve mutual benefit, which is characterized by a collaborative environment. According to CIPS principles on integrative negotiation:

Collaboration (A): Actively working together enables both parties to find solutions that maximize joint gains and address the needs of both sides.

Problem solving (B): Focusing on problem-solving allows both parties to address the issues at hand rather than competing over positions, facilitating a solution that satisfies both parties' needs.

By emphasizing collaboration and problem-solving, the organization increases the likelihood of a successful, sustainable agreement that respects both parties' interests.

Integrative (win-win) negotiation looks for value-equivalent tradeables across the bargaining mix (price, service, warranty, aftercare, etc.). If the same total saving is achieved via aftercare—and the buyer needs it—accepting the tradeable meets objectives without forcing a distributive fight on unit price.

A win-win (integrative) negotiation focuses on shared interests and joint value creation. The first step is identifying where both parties’ interests align, followed by designing creative options that allow both sides to gain more of what they need. Limiting resources and imposing subjective standards are characteristics of distributive or adversarial approaches and restrict value creation. CIPS clearly distinguishes integrative negotiation as collaborative, interest-based, and solution-focused, particularly suitable for long-term and strategic supplier relationships.

Negotiating in the supplier's environment (their site) can unintentionally shift the power dynamic. The supplier may gain apsychological edgedue to the comfort and control of their surroundings. Best practice recommends holding negotiations in aneutral settingto ensure balance and reduce any influence based on physical context. While site visits are beneficial for supplier evaluation, they should beseparate from the negotiationto maintain objectivity.

This statement reflects shared goals and mutual benefit, hallmarks of integrative negotiation. Unlike adversarial or distributive (win-lose) strategies, integrative approaches seek joint value and collaboration. The language of partnership (“we are in this together”) signals alignment and cooperative intent. Lose-lose outcomes, by contrast, occur when both sides compromise excessively or fail to reach creative solutions. Integrative strategies foster long-term partnerships where value is maximised for both.

“Expanding the pie” is a strategy used in integrative negotiations where both parties collaborate to increase the total value available before dividing it. This leads to mutual gains and supports long-term, strategic relationships.

Mark-upis calculated as:

Mark-up %=(ProfitCost)×100\text{Mark-up \%} = \left( \frac{\text{Profit}}{\text{Cost}} \right) \times 100Mark-up %=(CostProfit​)×100

In this case:

Profit = $240 - $160 = $80

Cost = $160

Mark-up = (80 / 160) × 100 =50%

“Understanding mark-up percentages helps in assessing supplier pricing behaviour and negotiating realistic margins.”

(L4M5 Commercial Negotiation, 2nd edition, Section 2.1 - Pricing Models and Profit Margins)

Nonverbal communication is important because it gives us valuable information about a situation including how a person might be feeling, how someone receives information and how to approach a person or group of people.

There are several types of nonverbal communications you should be aware of, including:

1. Body language

Body language is the way someone situates their body naturally depending on the situation, the environment and how they are feeling.

Example: Someone might cross their arms if they are feeling angry or nervous.

2. Movement

The way you move your arms and legs such as walking quickly or slowly, standing, sitting or fidgeting, can all convey different messages to onlookers.

Example: Sitting still and paying attention in a meeting conveys respect and attention.

3. Posture

The way you sit or stand can also communicate your comfort level, professionalism and general disposition towards a person or conversation.

Example: Someone might slouch their shoulders if they feel tired, frustrated or disappointed.

4. Gestures

While gestures vary widely across communities, they are generally used both intentionally and unintentionally to convey information to others.

Example: Someone in the United States might display a “thumbs up” to communicate confirmation or that they feel positively about something.

5. Space

Creating or closing distance between yourself and the people around you can also convey messages about your comfort level, the importance of the conversation, your desire to support or connect with others and more.

Example: You might stand two to three feet away from a new contact to respect their boundaries.

6. Paralanguage:

Paralanguage includes the non-language elements of speech, such as your talking speed, pitch, intonation, volume and more.

Example: You might speak quickly if you are excited about something.

7. Facial expressions

One of the most common forms of nonverbal communication is facial expressions. Using the eyebrows, mouth, eyes and facial muscles to convey can be very effective when communicating both emotion and information.

Example: Someone might raise their eyebrows and open their eyes widely if they feel surprised.

8. Eye contact

Strategically using eye content (or lack of eye contact) is an extremely effective way to communicate your attention and interest.

Example: Looking away from someone and at the ground or your phone may convey disinterest or disrespect.

9. Touch

Some people also use touch as a form of communication. Most commonly, it is used to communicate support or comfort. This form of communication should be used sparingly and only when you know the receiving party is okay with it. It should never be used to convey anger, frustration or any other negative emotions.

Example: Placing your hand on a friend’s shoulder may convey support or empathy.

Power, or more precisely perceptions of power, are critically important in understanding the commercial negotiation process. From a commercial negotiation point of view (under any circumstances, either integrative or distributive approach), CIPS is interested in power from both a personal and organisational perspective. When you are negotiating on behalf of your employer, you bring the power of your organisation (its brand, reputation and purchasing spend) as well your own personal power (6 sources of personal power, based on French and Raven's power base model) to the negotiation.

In both integrative and distributive approaches, personal power plays an important role. It helps both parties push through negotiating barriers and secure commitment and final agreement

LO 1, AC 1.3

A useful model of personal power that has survived the test of time and provide a simple way to analyse negotiation in French and Raven's Power Base Model, which describes six bases of power:

The supplier is using Rational persuasion by providing logical reasons, such as economic conditions and increased costs, to justify the price increase. This approach uses factual information to influence the buyer's decision, aiming to present the price hike as a reasonable adjustment, which aligns with CIPS strategies on influencing tactics in negotiations.

While understanding the supply market and preparing aBATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement)are essential, theydo not cover all risks. Comprehensive preparation includes defining thenegotiation team, setting clearobjectives, planningtradeables, and anticipatingcommunication tactics. Skipping these steps can lead to poor coordination, misunderstandings, and missed opportunities. Effective negotiation is amultifaceted process, not a single strategy.

Hypothetical (“What if…”) questions test possibilities and invite creative options without binding either side. They help probe interests and packages while keeping commitment provisional.

According toMendelow’s Matrix, stakeholders withhigh interest but low powershould be keptinformed. Their interest means they care about the negotiation's outcome, but their low power means they can't significantly influence it. Keeping them informed avoids alienation and ensures smoother implementation of negotiated agreements.

“Stakeholders with high interest but low power should be managed by keeping them informed. They may become powerful advocates or opponents in the future, so engaging them is a strategic approach.”

(L4M5 Commercial Negotiation, 2nd edition, Section 1.5 - Stakeholder Management in Commercial Negotiations)

Commercial negotiation objectives should be driven by the business needs of the organisation. Organisations are made up of different stakeholder groups, some of whom may have different, even conflicting objectives. From a negotiation perspective, stakeholders can be defined as persons or groups that have interest (or stake) in the outcome of the negotiation you are leading or participating in.

CIPS distinguishes between 3 sets of stakeholders:

- Internal stakeholders

- Connected stakeholders

- External stakeholders

End-users are examples of internal stakeholders. They are the people who will benefit from the purchase of a product or service. However, their interest may conflict with other groups, i.e. thebudget controllers whose objective is minimising the expense. In negotiation perspective, procurement should involve different groups of stakeholder.

LO 1, AC 1.1

The effect of a change of relative exchange rates will be determined by which currency you pay your supplier in.

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LO 2, AC 2.2

Effective listening is crucial in integrative negotiations because it promotes understanding and collaboration. By actively listening, parties can identify shared interests and address concerns, which supports the goal of reaching mutually beneficial solutions. This is a key component in CIPS guidelines on successful integrative negotiation practices.

When facing a monopoly supplier, buyers must find creative ways to introduce leverage. Publicly exploring alternative solutions can create the perception of competition or a fallback plan, thus shifting bargaining power slightly toward the buyer.

Macroeconomic indicators are statistics or data readings that reflect the economic circumstances of a particular country, region or sector. They are used by analysts and governments to assess the current and future health of the economy and financial markets.

Macroeconomic indicators will vary in their meaning and the impact that they have on the economy, but broadly speaking there are two main types of indicator.

- Leading indicators, which forecast where an economy might be heading. They are often used by governments to implement policies because they represent the first phase of a new economic cycle. These include the yield curve, interest rates and share prices.

- Lagging indicators, which reflect an economy’s historical performance and only change after a trend has been established. They are used to confirm a trend is underway. These include gross domestic product (GDP), inflation and employment figures.

There is also the category of coincident indicators, but these are generally grouped in with lagging indicators as they either happen at the same time or after an economic shift.

The best macroeconomic indicator to watch will heavily depend on your personal preferences, what positions you are taking and which country your portfolio is focused on. However, there are some very common indicators that most traders and investors will keep an eye on.

For simplicity’s sake, we have split these out into leading and lagging indicators.

Top leading indicators:

1. The stock market

2. House prices

3. Bond yields

4. Production and manufacturing statistics

5. Retail sales

6. Interest rates

Top lagging indicators:

1. GDP growth rates

2. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) and inflation

3. Currency strength and stability

4. Labour market statistics

5. Commodity prices

A procurement professional may find stock market data from the security exchange, while most lagging indicators (such as GDP, CPI, unemployment rate, currency and inflation rate, etc) can be found from government statistics data.

Indirect costs are those cost that are not directly attributable to production. Examples of indirect costs including the following:

Indirect labour: This covers every person in the factory who does not directly perform a production operation such as managers, supervisors, engineers, store personnel, clerks, maintenance staff, porters, canteen staff, security and cleaners etc.

Expenses: Included in this element is every fixed and variable expenses incurred in operating the factory, such as rent, rates, utilities, insurance, depreciation, maintenance, air conditioning and the various types of energy generation required by a clothing factory.

Indirect materials: Also known as consumables, this element contains all the materials not directly connected to the makeup of a garment. Some of the typical items involved are office materials, spare parts, marker paper, maintenance materials, chalk & pins.

Direct costs are those costs of a product/service directly attributable/traceable to its production. Examples of direct costs including the following:

Direct Materials: Direct materials are all the materials and trimmings which go into the construction and finish of the garment. Typically, these materials would include cloth, lining, fusible, zips pads, tapes, labels, tickets, hangers and packaging materials.

Direct Labour: This cover the cost of all the labor directly involved in producing the garment and could include cutting, fusing, regular sewing, special machine operations, pressing, finishing, inspection and packing. Labor of all types and grade has a direct overhead which include holiday pay, sick pay, fringe benefits etc and the statutory payments made by the employer for each employee. This is usually expressed as a percentage of salary and when this percentage is added to the employee’s wage, it becomes the basis for calculating direct labor costs.

A BATNA provides the buyer with the confidence to walk away if terms are not favorable, ensuring they don’t settle for a suboptimal agreement. Knowing the best alternative enables buyers to negotiate from a position of strength, as per CIPS’s guidance on negotiation strategies.

Using logic involves applying numerical data and factual evidence to support arguments in a negotiation. Logical reasoning appeals to objective analysis rather than emotional or coercive tactics and is effective in convincing the other party through structured, fact-based arguments, aligning with CIPS's guidance on logical negotiation techniques.

MIL criteria indicate 3 limits that negotiator should establish:

M - Must achieve: minimum target/maximum you can concede on this point; the mandatory requirement or fall back position

I - Intend to achieve: realistic target you are aiming for on this point

L – Like to achieve: stretch target to achieve on this point.

PPCA is purchase cost analysis

TIMWOOD indicates 7 types of waste in Lean principles

The RAQSCI model is a mnemonic summary of a business model used to define and structure business requirements

Competitive bidding is generally recommended for high-value or complex purchases where the cost and time required for the bidding process are justified. For low-value, routine items like pens, the time and resources required for competitive bidding may outweigh the potential cost savings, as noted in CIPS best practices. Hence, Option C is the best answer.

In order to estimate the gap and the progress towards desired level of support, a stakeholder support scale can be used by the procurement internally. The support level scale measures stakeholder commitment. Current support level for the procurement/negotiation objectives should be gained from engagement with key stakeholders. The following is an example of stakeholder support level scale:

LO 1, AC 1.1

An adversarial style is appropriate when issues are non-negotiable, such as health and safety commitments (D). In these scenarios, compliance is required without compromise, and a firm stance may be necessary. This aligns with CIPS guidance, where adversarial tactics are used in non-negotiable contexts to enforce strict standards.

Accepting gifts during a negotiation can createconflict of interestconcerns and may violate ethical standards. Best practice requires rejecting such offers to maintain transparency and objectivity in decision-making.

Microeconomic data specific to industries, suppliers, or products can often be found in commodity markets, trade exchanges, and financial databases. These provide detailed insights on supply, demand, pricing, and trends.

Asking questions the right way is both an art and a science. Ask the question the wrong way, and the other negotiator might act like a turtle, becoming defensive and withdrawing into their shell. Ask the question the right way, and the other negotiator might “spill the beans.”.

Closed Questions: How and when to use them?

Closed questions are those that require a short and focused answer, and are especially helpful in the beginning stages of the negotiation to encourage interaction. They can be used to clarify a point, or to reconfirm certain facts. For example, you can use a closed question to confirm the amount of units the company can produce in a week, or to clarify that what they are really saying is that they don’t feel comfortable outsourcing their accounts to India. Most closed questions only require a simple “yes” or “no” response, so there really isn’t much room for misinterpretation – great for finding out where both you and they stand.

Emotional intelligence involves the ability to recognize and manage one’s emotions and empathize with others. This skill allows negotiators to respond appropriately to both their own feelings and the emotional cues of the other party, fostering a more constructive and adaptive negotiation environment. CIPS highlights emotional intelligence as a valuable asset in understanding and influencing negotiation dynamics.

In the context of aninternal IT project, the relevant stakeholders would be thosedirectly involved in decision-making and implementation.Senior managementoversees funding and strategic fit, whilesoftware developersensure technical support. The general public and pharmaceutical suppliers are external and not primary stakeholders in this scenario.

“Stakeholder identification must focus on individuals or groups directly involved or affected by the procurement. This includes internal sponsors, end-users, and technical staff responsible for delivery.”

(L4M5 Commercial Negotiation, 2nd edition, Section 1.5 - Internal and External Stakeholders)

The coercive power comes from the belief that a person can punish others for non-compliance. It can be considered as opposite to reward power, which results from one person's ability to compensate or reward another for compliance.

LO 1, AC 1.3

Suppliers’ pricing decisions are influenced by both internal and external factors. Internal include cost of production, overheads, and lifecycle stage. External include competition (market dynamics, alternatives available) and customer perception of value (willingness to pay, brand image). These external elements are beyond supplier control but crucial in determining market price levels. Recognising these allows buyers to assess supplier pricing flexibility and to negotiate based on market realities rather than supplier cost claims.

A key consideration when seeking to negotiate prices is to establish what proportion of the spend is addressable by procurement action such as negotiation. Addressability of spend is influenceable through negotiations or application of other saving effort or leverage with suppliers.

LO 2, AC 2.1

Other stakeholders, including directors, IT, and finance departments, often have an interest in procurement negotiations, particularly when the contract impacts strategic objectives, IT infrastructure, or organizational operations. This broader stakeholder involvement aligns with CIPS’s emphasis on inclusive stakeholder management in procurement to ensure well-rounded decision-making.

In most commercial negotiations with monopolistic organisations, one can expect that in general they will have far greater bargaining power - you will need them more than they need you. There BATNA is stronger in the short run, but over time their power can be challenged effectively.

Ways of dealing with monopoly suppliers include the following:

Making yourself an attractive buyer

Seeking out alternatives / substitutes in a private or public manner

Designing out the requirement that forces you to go to the monopoly suppliers, or seek to make the product, or threaten to make it yourself if feasible

Lobbying government or campaigning, as part of an industry or trade body, for a reduction in barriers to entry that support the monopoly

Inbreak-even analysis,contributionrefers to the amount from sales revenue that exceedsvariable costs, which then contributes to coveringfixed costsand ultimately generating profit. Understanding this concept enables buyers to better analyze supplier pricing and negotiate more effectively. For example, if a product is priced significantly above its variable cost, there may be room fordiscounts or added value, as the supplier is still contributing toward fixed costs.

Internal stakeholder support will be important not just at the initial negotiation of the contract, but potentially throughout the life of the contract right through to exit.

As a general rule, connected stakeholders (with the exception of suppliers) have a low level of influence on procurement negotiations.

Suppliers are connected stakeholders who have contractual relationships with the organisation.

Commercial negotiation objective should be driven by the business needs of the organisation, and not just the instinct of procurement.

Elasticity refers to the responsiveness of quantity demanded or quantity supplied to a change in price or another factor:

The price of a product can be described as being elastic if a small change in price leads to a big change in demand.

The price of a product can be described as being inelastic if a big change in price leads to a small change in demand.

The formulae of elasticity of demand is known as the following:

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The question requires more detailed answer, it is an example of probing question.

Probing questions are typically follow-up questions, and aim to elicit more detailed information on the back of the answer elicited from the open questions. Probing question are also useful to check that the supplier fully understand their offering, as well as your needs, can also be used to communicate to the suppliers that you know this category well.

LO 3, AC 3.3

There are multiple sources of divergent positions that can arise in situations where money is exchange for goods and services. There are 2 different types of sources. Those that arise from the content or subject matter of the negotiation (what is being negotiated) and those that arise from the process of negotiation (how it is being negotiated).

Sources of divergent position - the content of negotiation:

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Cultural differences are the source of conflict in the process of negotiation.

Requisition is an internal document raised by user or store to communicate to procurement the need to buy the product or service specified. This is merely a internal document.

Framework arrangement is a rather loose set-up, without any legal standing. It usually occurs when an organisation has decided for itself to limit the number of suppliers it is willing to work with and, through a purely internal process, sets up an approved list of such suppliers.

LO 1, AC 1.1

Commercial negotiations involve a wider set of stakeholders than procurement, budget holders, and users. Depending on context, directors, IT specialists, legal teams, regulators, or external partners may all be impacted. Ignoring them risks resistance or missed requirements. CIPS stresses stakeholder mapping tools (such as Mendelow’s Matrix) to identify influence and interest levels, ensuring all relevant parties are managed appropriately in negotiation preparation and execution. Narrow stakeholder identification can undermine outcomes.

Supplier conditioning is the process of influencing a supplier or suppliers to behave in a certain way, or to accept certain circumstances. Within a negotiation, the buyer needs to make sure that the supplier has a number of messages in mind, about the outcomes that the buyer needs to achieve and about the shared sense of purpose that buying organisation has in achieving these outcomes.

Supplier appraisal is a process of evaluating a supplier's ability to carry out a contract in term of quality, delivery, price and other contributing factors.

Supplier positioning is the process of classifying spend with a supplier in terms of the profit potential and supply risk and assists in prioritising categories of spend and developing the right strategy.

Supplier selection is the process of selecting a supplier to acquire the necessary materials to support the outputs of organisations. Selection of the best and/or the most suitable suppliers is based on assessing supplier capabilities (Shih et al., 2004).

CIPS stresses that clear verbal confirmation is required for agreements. Non-verbal signals (smiles, nods, handshakes) can indicate politeness or ambiguity but do not constitute binding agreement. Assuming agreement risks later disputes or misunderstandings. Skilled negotiators ensure closure by explicitly summarising agreed terms and documenting them. Non-verbal communication is supportive, not decisive, in contract negotiation contexts.

Single-sourced relationships often involve exclusivity for a specific product (1) and a high level of trust and collaboration (3) between buyer and supplier. This type of relationship is selected forstrategic procurement purposes, often involving long-term partnerships, which align with CIPS’s relationship spectrum guidelines.

In the scenario, the manager propose to 'split the difference', which means each party will accept some of their demands and concede some. This is known as 'Compromise'.

In the scenario, to exchange cost cutting, the purchasing manager promises to 'reward' supplier shorter payment period. This is an example of reward power, which results from one person's ability to

compensate or reward another for compliance.

The reward does not need to be money, but could be introduction to other buyers in the group, positive references, agreement to trial new product, quicker payment or indeed any other variable that the buyer

knows is attractive and valued by the supplier.

International negotiations often face conflicts due to cultural differences (language, communication style, decision-making norms) and timing/location (time zones, travel, scheduling). These factors can cause misunderstandings or perceived power imbalances. Team size and make-up matter but are manageable internally, while closure processes can be aligned. Recognising cultural and logistical divergences allows buyers to prepare strategies that reduce conflict and promote smoother negotiations.

If the inflation rate is running high, then obtaining credit as a buyer is normally more difficult or expensive as money in the future will be worth less than money today.

Mendelow’s Matrix categorises stakeholders by power and interest. High-interest, low-power stakeholders must be kept informed, as they care about outcomes but lack direct influence. Keeping them informed builds trust and reduces resistance. By contrast, high power/interest stakeholders are key players, while low power/low interest require minimal effort. This tool ensures negotiation strategies align with stakeholder dynamics, preventing overlooked risks or conflicts.

Conflicts arise in procurement when risks, costs, or gains are not fairly shared, creating perceptions of exploitation. Another frequent source is late payment of supplier invoices, which damages trust and supplier cash flow. Scheduling or early involvement, by contrast, usually supports collaboration unless poorly managed. Conflict is natural in negotiations due to divergent interests, but recognising sources allows proactive management. Skilled negotiators use integrative approaches to turn potential conflict into opportunity, aligning incentives and ensuring fairness.

Expert power is based on a person's high levels of skill and knowledge, formal training, qualifications and experience in a particular procurement category would give someone expert status and mean that in negotiation their voice is listened to as a more objective, informed knowledge leader. Expert power is based on facts, knowledge, research, insight and study.

Legitimate power comes from rules, formal authority, organisation rank, staff rate or official position held.

Reward power comes from one person's ability to compensate or reward another for compliance.

Referent power stems from their personality, way of engaging with others and habit of acting in a way that is in line with a strong set of values and principles.

Setting the contract currency to the buyer’s currency transfers FX exposure to the supplier. The buyer gains price certainty in GBP, although the supplier may price in a risk premium—a common application decision when negotiating internationally.

Lina’s question seeksdetailed informationabout the supplier’s actions and is aimed at uncovering the root cause or assurance measures. This makes it aprobing question, designed to delve deeper into specifics. Probing is a key technique in negotiations for uncovering critical insights, particularly duringissue resolution or when seeking complianceon performance terms.

Becoming a preferred customer to supplier's perspective can increase the purchaser's leverage in negotiation. Beside the size of buying organisation or its spend, the following may be sufficient to differentiate the buyer from other buying organisations:

- Simple procurement processes

- Simple contracting processes

- Clear and concise documentation

- Absence of onerous supplier terms and conditions (onerous supplier terms and conditions mean that obligations imposed on suppliers are greater than their gains)

- On-time payment: The reduction in hassle for both supplier and the buyer, if bills are paid on time, is significant. From the customer’s perspective it could also be the opener to agreeing preferential payment terms. A supplier may weigh up that payment on time at 60 days is worth taking, over the current 30-day terms that slip to 90 days and beyond.

- Transparent processes

- Ethical behavior

LO 1, AC 1.3

As a financial metric, the margin of safety (safety margin) is equal to the difference between current or forecasted sales and sales at the break-even point. The margin of safety is sometimes reported as a ratio, in which the aforementioned formula is divided by current or forecasted sales to yield a percentage value. The figure is used in both break-even analysis and forecasting to inform a firm's management of the existing cushion in actual sales or budgeted sales before the firm would incur a loss.

This is a question that a student met in her actual exam. The margin of safety is not even mentioned in the CIPS study guide.

The ZOPA defines the range of outcomes acceptable to both parties, while the walk-away point defines the minimum acceptable deal for the buyer. Together, these guide negotiation planning to avoid unfavourable agreements. Attendee lists and venues are logistical details, important but not central to negotiation value creation. Preparation of ZOPA and walk-away ensures structured, strategic decision-making and protects against poor deals.

Variable costs change in proportion to production volume, such as packaging, raw materials, and delivery. Fixed costs (rent, insurance, loan repayments) remain constant regardless of output. Recognising the difference is crucial when negotiating supplier pricing, as variable costs are often more open to tradeable adjustments (e.g., bulk discounts). Buyers who understand cost structures can challenge inflated fixed allocations or negotiate on genuine variable elements. This knowledge is vital in price breakdown discussions and in cost-modelling negotiations.

Thebargaining stageis where both parties begin tomake concessionsand test options. This phase involves the use of strategic tactics, including the presentation of tradeables and adjustments in position to reach mutual agreement.

“The bargaining stage is characterised by movement, trade-offs, and deal-shaping. Tactics such as anchoring, making concessions, and introducing tradeables are employed to bridge the gap between opening offers.”

(L4M5 Commercial Negotiation, 2nd edition, Section 3.2 - Stages of the Negotiation Process)

Ground rules are the basic rules for doing something (Cambridge Dictionary). A negotiation goes more smoothly if ground rules are adopted. Then if something goes awry at a later time, you can point out the ground rule that has been violated. Procurement professional should seek to minimise conflict over process through agreeing 'ground rules' and approach as far as possible with the other party in advance of any negotiation meetings.

There should be two sets of ground rules: 1) ground rules for the negotiations between the two parties and 2) ground rules for the negotiating team itself. This article is about the negotiating team ground rules.

The rule of law is the condition in which all members of society, including its political leaders, accept the authority of the law.

Ground zero describes the point on the Earth's surface closest to a nuclear detonation. In the case of an explosion above the ground, ground zero refers to the point on the ground directly below the nuclear detonation.

The Ground Beam is the beam which is provided usually at the foundation level to support building walls, joists, etc.

There are many macro economic factors that could influence procurement in general and commercial negotiation in particular. Below are six factors that are agreed to be fairly significant:

• Economy growth rate

• Inflation rates

• Interest rates

• Currency exchange rate

• Unemployment rate

• Protectionism

LO 2, AC 2.2

Margin is defined as profit expressed as a percentage of the selling price, not the cost. This is a critical distinction from mark-up, which expresses profit as a percentage of cost. For example, a 20% margin means that 20% of the price charged to the buyer represents profit, while 80% represents cost. CIPS emphasises that buyers must clearly understand this difference to avoid being misled during pricing discussions. Confusing margin with mark-up can significantly weaken negotiation effectiveness.

Activity-based costing is an alternative approach to traditional absorption costing. The characteristics of these two methods are illustrated in the graph below:

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Connected stakeholders are those who, by contractual or commercial relationships, have a significant stake in organisation activity. As a general rule, connected stakeholder (with the exception of suppliers) have a low level of influence on procurement negotiations.

Examples of connected stakeholders are: suppliers, customers, bank where the organisation opens its account, shareholders.

Fixed price contract is the contract in which the price is static throughout the contract period. A fixed-price contract may give certainty to budget and simplify contract management. However, it may lead to other problems since it requires bidders to estimate and bear the financial risks associated with price escalations. If the estimates are too high or events do not materialize, the buyer will pay a steep price that may affect the economy and efficiency of the contract. In the worst case, it may mean that the bid price is then above budget and may lead to a reduction in the requirements or rebidding. If the estimates are too low, it may appear as an abnormally low bid and disrupt contract execution.

On the other hand, price adjustment provisions include formulas designed to address problems, and can protect both the borrower and contractors from price fluctuations. Price adjustment formulas allow contractors to offer more realistic prices at the time of bidding. Despite concerns that they may lead to budget uncertainties, price adjustment formulas will estimate the actual cost implications that will be encountered. They use indexes that can be used for cost projection.

According to Asia Development Bank (ADB), any contract with a delivery or completion period beyond 18 months should contain an appropriate price adjustment clause.

In the scenario, the crude oil contract is planned to last 36 months. This period is pretty long with a fluctuating commodity. Therefore, the company should use price adjustment agreement.

The objective of the buyer here is to improve supplier cost structures over time, which requires them to have insight into supplier's current cost information. Purchase price cost analysis (PPCA) can help here. PPCA is a method for gathering, analysing and using price and cost information in a systematic way. The process allows the identification of future savings and opportunities to improve current costs.

STEEPLE analysis is used to analyse the macro environment that may have impact on an organisation.

Competitive rivalry is a part of Porter's Five Forces which is a tool for strategy making.

Volume concentration is a way to increase the purchasing quantities in order for a buying organisation to improve its leverage in negotiation.

Direct costs are those directly attributable to the production of a unit — such as raw materials, components, and direct labour. Here, the metal used is a clear direct cost, as it varies with production output. Rent, insurance, and sales wages are indirect (overhead) costs, which must be allocated across products. Understanding this distinction is vital in negotiations, since direct costs are easier to challenge for efficiency gains, while indirect allocations may be arbitrary. Buyers with clear knowledge of cost breakdowns can negotiate more effectively, avoiding inflated pricing.

Integrative negotiation relies on openness and trust, aiming to identify underlying interests, not just positions. Withholding information is typical of distributive (win-lose) bargaining, where each side protects its bottom line. In an integrative context, hiding key details prevents mutual understanding, reduces creative option-building, and damages relationship trust. Instead, transparency enables value creation—such as joint cost reduction or innovation. CIPS emphasises that power must be balanced with openness when integrative outcomes are desired.

Adversarial (win–lose) negotiation is viable when buyers can leverage abundant alternatives and substitutes, reducing supplier power. In such cases, buyers can adopt tough tactics, knowing they can switch suppliers if necessary. By contrast, limited supply, single sourcing, or monopolist suppliers constrain buyer power, making adversarial strategies risky and often ineffective. CIPS stresses that negotiation style must be matched to market conditions and the power balance.

While compromise seems fair, it often erodes credibility and weakens long-term negotiation outcomes. Skilled negotiators avoid “splitting the difference” automatically, since it signals weak preparation and can encourage exploitation in future talks. Instead, agreements should be built on objective value, data, and tradeables. Compromise has a place, but reliance on it damages strategic positioning. CIPS stresses integrative or principled negotiation over simplistic middle-ground settlements.