What steps are needed before going into negotiations with a company? Identify specific steps and discuss these in detail. You must include a title page, introduction, conclusion, and reference page.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Preparing for Negotiations: Key Steps for Success
Title Page
Title: Preparing for Negotiations: Key Steps for Success
Author: [Your Name]
Date: [Today’s Date]
Introduction
Negotiation is a critical skill in the business world, shaping interactions between companies, clients, and partners. Effective negotiation can lead to favorable outcomes, strong relationships, and long-term success. However, entering a negotiation without adequate preparation can result in missed opportunities and unfavorable deals. This essay outlines the essential steps needed before entering negotiations with a company, focusing on research, goal-setting, strategy development, and relationship building.
Steps Before Negotiation
1. Conduct Thorough Research
Before entering negotiations, it is crucial to gather relevant information about the company you are negotiating with. This includes understanding their business model, market position, strengths and weaknesses, and recent developments.
– Industry Analysis: Analyze the industry landscape to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities. Understanding the competitive environment will help you anticipate the other party’s needs and constraints.
– Company History and Values: Familiarize yourself with the company’s history, mission statement, and corporate values. This knowledge can help you align your proposals with their objectives and demonstrate your commitment to a mutually beneficial outcome.
– Stakeholder Insights: Identify key stakeholders involved in the negotiation process. Understanding their roles, interests, and positions will provide insight into how to tailor your approach.
2. Define Clear Goals and Objectives
Having well-defined goals is essential for effective negotiation. Before entering discussions, clarify what you want to achieve and establish specific objectives.
– Prioritize Your Goals: Determine which objectives are most important and which are negotiable. This prioritization will guide your strategy during negotiations and help you remain focused on your desired outcomes.
– Set Measurable Targets: Establish clear metrics for success. For instance, if negotiating a price, determine a range that reflects your ideal outcome and your acceptable minimum.
3. Develop a Negotiation Strategy
A well-thought-out negotiation strategy is crucial for achieving your objectives. Consider various factors that will influence the negotiation process.
– Identify Potential Concessions: Determine areas where you are willing to compromise. Being prepared to make concessions can facilitate progress and demonstrate goodwill.
– Anticipate Counterarguments: Think through potential objections or counterarguments the other party may raise. Prepare responses that address these concerns while reinforcing your objectives.
– Role-Playing Scenarios: Conduct role-playing exercises with colleagues or mentors to practice different negotiation scenarios. This preparation can help build confidence and refine your approach.
4. Build Relationships
Establishing rapport with the other party can significantly impact the negotiation process. Building relationships fosters trust and opens lines of communication.
– Networking: Engage in networking opportunities before the negotiation. This could involve informal meetings or attending industry events where you might encounter representatives from the company.
– Understand Their Perspective: Take time to understand the other party’s perspective and interests. This empathy can help you tailor your proposals to better fit their needs and create a collaborative atmosphere.
5. Prepare Documentation
Having organized documentation is essential for a successful negotiation process.
– Supporting Materials: Gather relevant documents that support your case, including market research, financial reports, or case studies that illustrate the value of your proposal.
– Formal Proposals: Prepare a formal proposal outlining your objectives, terms, and conditions. Having this document ready for review during negotiations can streamline discussions and minimize misunderstandings.
Conclusion
Entering negotiations with a company requires careful preparation to ensure successful outcomes. By conducting thorough research, defining clear goals, developing a negotiation strategy, building relationships, and preparing documentation, negotiators can enhance their effectiveness in discussions. These steps not only increase the likelihood of achieving desired results but also lay the foundation for positive and sustainable business relationships. As negotiations become more complex in today’s dynamic business environment, investing time in preparation remains a critical determinant of success.
References
1. Fisher, R., Ury, W. L., & Patton, B. (2011). Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In. Penguin Books.
2. Thompson, L. (2014). The Mind and Heart of the Negotiator. Pearson.
3. Lewicki, R. J., Saunders, D. M., & Barry, B. (2015). Negotiation. McGraw-Hill Education.
4. Raiffa, H., Richardson, J., & Metcalfe, D. (2002). Negotiation Analysis: The Science and Art of Collaborative Decision Making. Harvard University Press.
5. Ury, W. (1993). Getting Past No: Negotiating with Difficult People. Bantam Books.
