Sunday

I was so glad when Dr.Closen stopped negotiations. I can really understand how the preparation work is necessary so that sides don't become offended. I also really enjoyed the presentations. I really felt like it reinforced the information and gave interesting facts and perspective to the complexities of bargaining.

I was a joy to be in class with everyone.

Andrea

Saturday's Class

I was really impressed, overwhelmed with reworking all the financials again. It was a great experience. I was really statisfied with the information and help we gave each other. Laying out the information and seeing it through was really beneficial to me and the team.

Sunday (we had 'em on the ropes)

What a great day. As great of a day as you can have on a beautiful autumn afternoon in class. The negotiations got heated and we were all getting into what was going on. I especially appreciated Vicki's presentation on knowing who's at the table I think that's very important. I would have liked to had reviewed that a little more on the first weekend. The most insightful part of the entire class was at the end when Dr. Closen sat us down at the table for our debriefing. I learned so much but I feel I need to take the course a couple more times in order to be ready for the real deal. Please don't interpret that as I want a failing grade. (Ha!Ha!) Zac

Saturday

I felt the board team was well prepared, but our format was off. The way I had the page numbers and articles formated was a little confusing and you can't have that during negotiations. It makes it seem like you're trying to hide something or trick them and that definately wasn't the case. The packaging of the proposal is key. I really appreciate Dr. Closen talking us through that part of it. Preparating was stressed throughout the course, but Saturday it was really brought to life form me. If we were in this for real I'd practice going through the proposal outload right at the table for the other team was there. Zac

The End

The simulation is a must have for all of us. I feel sorry for those in the ACI class who don't get this opportunity. But they probably are from huge districts with lots of personnel to help.

Despite Dave's comments, the board side was not confused about our proposals. We just didn't have the experience that the teacher team did. Despite the number of mistakes we made, I found the experience to be enlightening and filled with lessons that I won't forget.

Waiting on the salary to propose it
Starting with the low number in a multi year first
Keeping to the ground rules or renegotiate them
Starting with a discussion of values, goals in order to begin to build a relationship
Showing numbers (some) and a package to help the other side understand our proposal and where we were coming from
Snacks! I think we needed snacks.

Andrea-hope the wedding was wonderful! Even though you weren't there, your presence was noticed as you gave inside information to through me! Perfectly timed by your chief negotiator I might add!

It was a great experience and I am grateful for my team and all the class members so that it was easy to make mistakes in the group without feeling like an idiot. I do appreciate that. It makes learning and risk taking more fun and meaningful!

kim

Sunday

Great class. I think I learned that I am not ready to sit in the negotiations without support. What we say and how we say it will determine how much success we have. If we are not prepared we can find ourselves in deep trouble. I enjoyed the sit down at the end of class. I think that if we could have had these meetings more often it would have been helpful. To have someone who has been in the trenches explain pitfalls and deal breakers would be valuable. I hope to see most of the class in research.

K

October 5, 2008

it seems as though the two sides in the simulation experienced things a bit differently. The union side seemed to pretty much "get into it" almost from the first time we met with the Board side. Truly, the biggest reason we were so into things was that meeting with the Board seemed to make things more and more difficult to even get through the simulation. For whatever reason, we were never sure if they were being intentionally confusing or if they were themselves confused :)

Regardless, it was an interesting experience. I do hope that Dr. Closen takes a moment to tidy up the simulation materials. It seems a bit difficult to approach it realistically if both sides are not using the same numbers. This was pretty much impossible as some of the numbers seemed to be made up "on the fly" as the spreadsheet and the simulation description contradicted each other.

It was fun, though. And, it was very interesting being on the opposite side of where I was this past summer. I truly wish I had this class prior to being on the Board negotiation team. Soooooo many more things would have made sense at the time.