The Art of the Deal: Import-Export Negotiation
Grammar: Conditionals in negotiation and hedged requests
A Business English English lesson exploring business.
What's in this lesson
A Business English ESL lesson on business, practising conditionals in negotiation and hedged requests. The worksheet has a reading, target vocabulary and discussion questions.
From the reading: The Art of the Deal: Import-Export Negotiation
In 2023, Danish furniture giant JYSK opened negotiations with a ceramic-tile supplier in Vietnam. The supplier quoted €18 per unit. JYSK's procurement lead, Mads Olsen, did not reject the number. He simply said: "If you were able to offer a six-month exclusivity clause, we would be in a position to commit to 40,000 units." The supplier paused. Two hours later, the price dropped to €14.50. Olsen had not argued. He had restructured the conversation entirely — turning a price discussion into a volume and partnership discussion.
Vocabulary
- confrontational
- expertise
- long-lasting
- yield
- delivery record
- in a position to
- indirect
- open
- signals
Discussion questions
- Have you ever negotiated a price for something important?
- Should buyers always aim for the lowest possible price from a supplier?
- Does your industry rely more on relationships or contracts?
The Art of the Deal: Import-Export Negotiation
Grammar: Conditionals in negotiation and hedged requests
What's in this lesson:
Full lesson plan with reading, grammar, vocabulary, and discussion.
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