STRATEGIC NEGOTIATION GAME
Strike Fighter
- 3 hours (+ discussion)
- 6 - 36 participants
- on site or online
A simulation about skillful recognition of the other side’s interests and how to prepare and conduct effective negotiations.
The scenario was inspired by a real-life challenge faced by the US Army in the 1990s. The need to replace an outdated fighter fleet and budget constraints pushed commanders to launch the government’s Joint Strike Fighter program. Its result was to be a super-modern fighter model for joint use across the Army. American commanders had to reconcile seemingly irreconcilable interests: the chosen aircraft had to meet the expectations of all armed units.
In the game, the players’ goal is to choose one of the 8 proposed fighter models, but also to bring the chosen fighter closest to their standards and preferences to collect the maximum number of points.
In 2009, Operation Strike Fighter™ won the top prize at the NASAGA competition in the US.
Benefits for the organization:
- The game mechanics reflect the real negotiation and communication challenges that people face not only in a business environment, but in any situation where conflict may appear,
- Simulation teaches preparing for negotiations,
- Raises understanding of the role of the preparation phase in building a negotiation strategy,
- Practises the ability to make quick decisions during negotiations or difficult conversations,
- Demonstrates the role of understanding the needs of negotiating partners at different stages of the process,
- Raises understanding of the challenges of cooperation, in - and between teams in a highly competitive situation,
- Promotes increased understanding of how to link individual goals with those of the organization.
Application:
- Negotiations - preparing for difficult conversations and conducting negotiations, building a negotiation strategy, defining your own and your partners' negotiation goals,
- Leadership - seeing broader goals, sometimes not easy to see, understanding the motivations and interests of others, solving problems, making decisions,
- Conflict management - dealing with a conflict situation, acting effectively in a conflict situation, conflict mediation,
- Communication - principles of effective communication, responsibility for the message, developing communication skills, persuasion, asking the right questions,
- Teamwork - principles of building a negotiating team, setting goals, delegating tasks and responsibilities, increasing team effectiveness, importance of cooperation within and between teams,
- Talent development programs,
- Training programs for managers and professionals,
- Employer Branding activities.
This is a good experience for teams working in corporations, where one of the challenges is negotiating budgets, or resources for projects. Through this game you can learn that it is possible to work together and come to constructive conclusions. The individual goal is not always in conflict with the group goal.
