NEGOTIATIONS 5: REACHING AGREEMENT BUSINESS VOCABULARY IN USE

 

BUSINESS VOCABULARY IN USE 66. NEGOTIATIONS 5: REACHING AGREEMENT

 

A Deadlock and mediators. BASEBALL STRIKE IN BASELAND Every year in Baseland there are negotiations between the baseball players’ union and the baseball team owners about pay and conditions for the coming soon. Last year, after months of negotiations, there was deadlock: the negotiations broke down. Some commentators said there was stalemate; an impasse: a situation where no progress could be made. There were irreconcilable differences between the two sides and it was impossible to reach an agreement. The baseball players went on strike. The two sides agreed to bring in a mediator, someone from outside to help restart the negotiations B Agreements and contracts An argument of any kind is a deal. When you reach an agreement, you can talk about clinching a deal or closing a deal. A bargain is also an agreement reached through negotiation. People who get what they want in a negotiation are said to drive a hard bargain. An agreement may be in the form of contract. ‘Contract’ is used in these combinations: C Checking the deal It’s important to check the points of an agreement to avoid misunderstandings. You could say: • Let me just go/ run over (repeat and summarize) the main points. • On A, we agreed that …. • As far as B is concerned (in relation to B), we agreed ….. • We still have the question of C to settle (decide and agree on). EXERCISES 66.1 Look at the words from A opposite and say if these statements are true of false. 1. Someone who helps two sides to reach an agreement is an arbitrator. 2. If two sides in a dispute use arbitration, no outsiders are involved. 3. It’s not usual for mediators to impose agreements. 66.2 Complete these extracts using word combinations from B opposite. 1. Buyer and seller enter into a legally _____________ contract once an offer has been accepted. 2. DAF is bidding for a _____________ contract to supply trucks to the British army. 66.3 The Xania-Zebra negotiations are ending. Look at C opposite. Arrange the phrases Jose uses to close negotiations in the correct order. 1. Let me just run over the main points. On engine quantities, 2. I think that covers everything. 3. If you agree to the proposal, we’ll draw up a contract based on those points.

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