Hardball Tactics in Negotiation Definition & Examples

Hardball Tactics in Negotiation, Definition & Examples. This article explains the top 8 Hardball Tactics in Negotiation: Good cop, bad cop, Lowball Highball, Bogey, Nibble, Chicken, Intimidation, Aggressive behavior, and Snow Job.

Hardball Tactics

Hardball Tactics refer to the typical method applied by negotiators to achieve a goal anyhow. Any part of the negotiation can use hardball tactics to gain an advantage. Hardball tactics are a deceptive way to gain the objective in business deals. The negotiator usually employs these tactics to benefit from another party's detriment. People use these hardball tactics for personal, social, political, and business purposes. They adopt them to purchase a product, make an agreement, and deal with other parties. It is a significant strategy in the business communication process

Hardball tactics in negotiation are arguably not ethical practices for dealing with other parties. Many scholars term them unethical and tricky ways to achieve advantages.

The Most Common Hardball Tactics

Hardball Tactics Examples-The 8 Typical Hardball Tactics in Negotiation
The 8 Typical Hardball Tactics in Negotiation
What are the hardball tactics in negotiation?
The 8 Hardball Tactics in Negotiation are:
  1. Good cop/bad cop
  2.  Lowball/Highball
  3.  Bogey
  4. The nibble
  5.  Chicken
  6. Intimidation
  7. Aggressive Behaviour
  8. Snow Job

Good Cop Bad Cop Tactic

A good cop/ bad cop negotiation refers to tactical bargaining between two parties to benefit from the other party's detriment. It occurs amid two parties' negotiation when two people in the same party deal with the other party as good and bad.

Good Cop Bad Cop Tactic Example -1

For example, the police want to ask questions at a police station, but the prisoner would not want to say anything. So, two police officers plan to play a game, and one acts like a rude, devilish person so that he can ask the question fiercely. On the other hand, another police officer interrogates the prisoner politely. Finally, the prisoner shared all the information with them. 

Good Cop Bad Cop Tactic Negotiation

Good Cop Bad Cop Tactic Example -2

For example, A customer goes to a mask shop where the shop owner and his manager sell products. The customer wanted to buy a mask, so he negotiated with them. The shop owner is persuading the customer, saying that the facemask will protect you from dust. You can buy at RM 5 per piece.

On the other hand, the manager says to the customer that you have to pay RM 5 if you want to buy or you can leave. The manager also says that you can go now, we want to close the shop.

However, the owner is still trying to persuade the customer to buy the mask for RM 5. The owner is dealing in a friendly manner, whereas the manager threatens the customer. However, both (the owner & manager) want to sell the product. This kind of negotiation is called a good cop/bad cop negotiation.

Good Cop Bad Cop Tactic Example -3

When I was a secondary student, I violated the school rules by being late to school. The school discipline teacher acted as the "Bad Cop" who commanded to punish me according to the school rules and regulations. Meanwhile, the counseling teacher held an open-minded talk to understand why I was late and advised me patiently. Finally, I will never be late again in the next five years.

Lowball Highball Tactic

The negotiator applies a lowball/highball tactic to get the other party's attention. They know that they will not be able to achieve it but offer. The lowball/highball tactic begins with an extremely low or high opening offer to the opposite party. The extreme proposal will stimulate the other party to re-evaluate their opening offer and move closer to or beyond their resistance point.

Lowball Highball Tactic in Negotiation Example-1

For example, your son does not want to go to school by bus because his friends come by private vehicle. Therefore, he decided not to go to school till buying a private car. You offer him to gift a new personal car by next month to make him happy. You know very well that you will not be able to buy a new private car by next month. It is a ridiculous offer that is called a lowball/highball tactic. Later, you manage to persuade him to go to school by bus for six more months, but you will buy a motorbike for him after six months.

Lowball Highball Tactic in Negotiation Example-2

For example, imagine that you want to buy a woody chair. They negotiate with the seller, and the set price is 100RM; you might think it is unacceptable, so you say can I buy it for 20 RM because it does not seem that high? The seller might be shocked for a while, and after that, the seller might say," 50RM, take it okay?" Finally, your goal has been achieved.

Lowball Highball Tactic in Negotiation Example-3

For example, my girlfriend (ELA) stopped talking to me because another girl liked my photos uploaded on Facebook. ELA is jealous of girls who like and comment on my Facebook photos. I told him not to use Facebook anymore to continue our communication. She also knows that It is quite impossible to stop using Facebook. However, this tactic stimulates her to talk to me for bargaining.  We argued for an hour to finally agree that I would block the girl from following me on Facebook. Finally, I managed to think that blocking is so much better when it is a bad idea to stop using Facebook due to the girl.

Bogey Tactic

Bogey tactics in negotiation are demonstrated when negotiators conceal their interest in front of the other party. Negotiators pretend that the issue is of very little importance to them, the opposite party offering. The issue is significant for them, but they do not want to show their interest in front of the opposing party.

Bogey Negotiation Example-1

For example, you want to buy a new Samsung mobile phone with a face lock feature. Now, the shop owner shows you the latest Samsung mobile phone and indicates the new feature. You will be glad to see the new feature on the phone. However, you are not showing interest in the face lock feature. You are concealing your interest in front of the shop owner. You think that the shop owners can increase the price if you show more interest in the new feature. Therefore, you pretend you are not interested in buying this new phone. Eventually, you buy a low-price phone with the new face-lock feature.

Bogey Negotiation Example-2

This tactic is usually applied to the gambling situation. When I play mahjong with my family members, I maintain my poker face even though the mahjong I drew is good, and I win the game. But, I stay calm to distract my opponents' attention, not to sense my happiness. After that, I pretend that I want mahjong A, but my target is mahjong J. Then, I successfully won the game by misleading the other family members to discover my true intention.

Nibble Tactic

The nibble tactic refers to asking for a minor concession to make the deal final. Usually, negotiators use this tactic after a long time of negotiation between them. The negotiator needs to add a small item to complete the deal or agreement. 

Nibble Negotiation Example-1

For example, the customer will purchase a secondhand iPhone if the seller provides headphones and a charger at the same price. It happens at the end period of the negotiation when any party wants to close the deal.

Nibble Negotiation Example-2

For example, the tenant will rent the house if the owner replaces the old refrigerator with a new one. Finally, the owner agrees to add a new refrigerator to complete the agreement.

Chicken Tactic

In a negotiation tactic, the negotiator uses a big bluff with a frightening action to force the other party to fulfill their demands. The negotiator forces another party to close the deal immediately. 

Chicken Negotiation Example-1

For example, one party is threatening the other party with, "If you do not sell this phone at RM 1000, I will buy the same phone from the next shop that is interested in selling it at the same price. The owner believed the customer's bluff and agreed to sell the phone at RM 1000. 

Chicken Negotiation Example-2

For example, The customer said he wants the furniture ready on the weekend or to find another shop. The shop owner agreed to deliver furniture before the due date believing the customer's bluff. 

Chicken Negotiation Example-3

For example, after a long negotiation, both sides are not satisfied with each other. Then one side says, "if you really oppose accepting my ideal price, I will find another person who will provide my ideal price."

Intimidation Tactic

Intimidation tactics attempt to force the other party to agree by applying emotional appeal. They use emotion, anger, or fear to agree with the opposite party. The other side may deliberately use anger to show the seriousness of the position. 

Intimidation Negotiation Example-1

Calvin is a small employee in a company. David is a well-known violent temper person in the organization. They have been bargaining for various issues for a long time. Suddenly, David slapped the table, glared at Calvin, and said: Think about the difficulty of your job. Your wife and children at home are still waiting for dinner. Finally, Calvin accepted the conditions.

Intimidation Negotiation Example-2

For example, if someone bought a television, it did not work when he wanted to open it at home. Still, there was nothing wrong when he checked the TV in the store, and then he asked the store to replace it for him, but the store refused to return it because it was available when he checked in the store. Finally, he said if you do not replace it for me today, I will post this on social media; nobody will come afterward.

Aggressive Behaviour Tactic

Aggressive behavior refers to the strategy of being aggressive in pushing your position or attacking the other person's position to gain advantages. It is similar to intimidation tactics, but negotiators use their position to intimidate others psychologically. It includes asking for further concessions.

Aggressive Behaviour Negotiation Example-1

For example, one customer comes to buy a mobile phone formally and says: Let's not waste time; what is the maximum price? Here, the customer wants to emphasize that their time is significant, so close the deal soon. 

Aggressive Behaviour Negotiation Example-2

For example, a sales manager offers RM 5000 for iPhone 12, but the customer is still negotiating to reduce the price. Instantly, the owner gets angry at the manager and "How can you make such a low offer." Do you know today I sold three iPhone 14s at RM5500 within 30 minutes? You are wasting our time. It stimulates the customer to buy it at RM5000.

Aggressive Behaviour Negotiation Example-3

For example, a customer goes to buy a personal car in the showroom—the salesmen bargains with him regarding the price for a long time. Eventually, the customer brought out his identity card and showed the salesman said, "I am also marketing manager, so please do not apply the marketing policy on me."  Here, the customer uses his position to win the negotiation. 

Snow Job Tactic

Snow job tactic is demonstrated when negotiators surprise the other party with huge additional information. These additional confuse the opposite party about figuring out which facts are fundamental and essential. It occurs when negotiators overwhelm the other party with so much information to get distracted.

Snow Job Negotiation Example-1

For example, you want to buy a new mobile phone, and the seller provides you with so much information about the additional factors. They ensure that this phone is eco-friendly. It will not harm you. The mobile company uses the latest technology to reduce noise during communication. They also show you how many people are dying due to mobile blasts and so more. The use of many technical terms confuses anyone who is not familiar with the topic.

Snow Job Negotiation Example-2

The negotiator explains the deal in English, but Ahmad, a non-native English speaker, will see him as educated. Ahmad will say yes without asking many questions to avoid embarrassment because the negotiator seems knowledgeable and more expert than him. 

Snow Job Negotiation Example-3

Snow Job tactics are frequently used in government project tendering. When the government starts a new development project, it will publish massive amounts of information to hide the accurate worthy information behind the overwhelming information. This tactic is used to prevent the misuse of precious data for any illegal activity. 

Conclusion

The top 8 Hardball Negotiation Tactics are Good cop, bad cop, Lowball Highball, Bogey, Nibble, Chicken, Intimidation, Aggressive behavior, and Snow Job. These typical tactics are crucial elements for win-win and win-loss negotiations. 

Citation For This Article (APA 7th Edition)
Kobiruzzaman, M. M. (2024). Hardball Tactics in Negotiation- Hardball Tactics Definition & Examples. Newsmoor- Educational Website For Online Learning. https://newsmoor.com/hardball-tactics-examples-example-of-hardball-tactics-in-negotiation/

Travelogue Feature Article Example- Tour To Japan

Travelogue Feature Article Examples & Sample For Students- Tour To Japan. Short and Long Travelogue Feature Article Writing Examples For Students.

Travelogue Article

Travelogue article refers to the feature story writing that explains the traveler's tour guidelines. It is also known as a travel feature story writing in journalism. Journalists write travelogue articles to inform others about tourist spots. A travel feature article is always designed to ensure a hassle-free journey to a particular location like a travel itinerary.

The most common feature articles are profiles, how-to, reviews, and travelogue articles. Travelogue article is a crucial feature in journalism for recreation and entertainment. The writer follows the inverted pyramid of writing style to attract readers. Readers always read the headlines and story leads to decide whether to read the whole article or leave it. Therefore, the headlines and feature leads include how, where, and what to explore.

People travel for various perspectives: recreation, business, job purposes, multicultural immigration, curiosity, and adventure.

Elements of Travelogue Article

The Ten Elements to write a travelogue article are:
1. Visit and explore the place
2. Write a descriptive story
3. Explain how to travel to the destination
4. Discuss the hotel, motel and accommodation
5. Review the cultural and traditional background
6. Explain the historical and tourist attraction
7. Discuss the food and restaurant
8. Notify the weather and atmosphere
9. Report the shopping mall
10. Mention the Dos and Don'ts fact.

Travelogue Feature Article Example for Students

The two examples of travelogue feature articles have been illustrated for students. The first example represents a long history and the second example illustrates a five-day short travelogue article. These travelogue examples are suitable for those students who want to write a travelogue article.

The title of the long travelogue article is "Tour To Tokyo, Japan: The Place of Peace." A journalism student at the University of Putra Malaysia wrote this article. Students may follow the structure of this article to know how to write a long travelogue article.

The author presents an ideal travel feature article example for students that includes most components of the travelogue article.

Travelogue Example for Students & Travelogue Sample
Travelogue Example for Students
A Long Travelogue Feature Article Writing Example -1
Tour To Tokyo, Japan: The Place of Peace

Tokyo is Japan's most beautiful and peaceful capital city, where every tourist wants to enjoy its breathtaking nature, historical buildings, delicious food, and traditional paces. A rumor, I had heard that traveling to Tokyo is very expensive. My tour to Japan provides a comprehensive travel guide to visit Japan on a cheap budget that will help every tripper enjoy Tokyo's beauty.

I planned to visit Japan from Malaysia, as I have stayed here since 2016. In 2018, I participated in an international conference at the University of Tsukuba in Tokyo, Japan. As my first step, I tried to book an air ticket at a low price because my budget was average. Most airline ticket prices were expensive, which worried me a little bit. Then I realized that Air Asia offers cheap plane tickets with limited baggage. I have no extra baggage so I can accept this opportunity. Luckily I managed to book a two-way ticket at a low price.

After nine hours of journey, when the plane reached Haneda Airport, I became amused to see Japan's beauty.

Tokyo is both the economic and political center of the country. It is one of the most populous capital cities globally, with around 37.4 million. This beautiful city has become the host of many international programs and events, for example, three G7 Summits and the Summer Olympics in 1 64. The airport, decorated with digital posters and banners, declared it would be the host of the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Japanese are very kind, humble, helpful, and polite. I perceived it during the conversation and asked for help from them.

Per my pre-planned, I decided to stay with my friend instead of at a hotel. He lives in the Akabane area, which is around 30 kilometers far from the Haneda International Airport. So, I was looking for a station to get the train to Akabane. I asked a Japanese police officer to help me find the train station to take me there.

I became amused to see his hospitality; he had taken me to the exact location where I could get the train. He also paid money for my ticker because of not have Japanese currency. The tickets cost ¥1400, and the journey takes 5  minutes. Finally, he bowed to exchange greetings when saying goodbye to me. It is a tradition in Japan to bow while exchanging greetings.

I caught the last train from Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Train Station, and after 55 minutes, I arrived at Akabane station at 11:45 AM. My friend was waiting for me outside the station, wearing an anti-cold jacket, which amused me. I felt freezing whenever I came out of the station; because this area was not under air- conditioning. Instantly, I removed my jacket from my baggage and put it on to protect myself from the bitterly cold weather. I have always been afraid of the cold, but I enjoy the cold weather in Japan.

It was ten minutes' walking distance from my friend's house, so we started to walk, and finally, we reached our destination at 12:30 PM. It was the second time I was astonished that my friend had not locked his house. For my curiosity, I asked him why not lock his house when getting outside. He replied that there is a rare house robbery incident in Japan, even though you leave your houses without locking them.

Travelogue Feature Article Example- Tour To Tokyo Japan

The following day, I woke up early to prepare and participate in a conference held by the University of Tsukuba. This is the first time I have fallen in love with the beauty of Japan to see the fantastic weather. It was freezing weather with windy and falling snow. This was my first experience of seeing snowfall. I dreamed of experiencing this kind of atmosphere that I had only seen in the cinema.

My habit is capturing photos; therefore, I grabbed some pictures inside and outside the station. Now I know how to purchase a ticket using the ticket machine that the Japanese police officer taught me last night. I bought my ticket to get to the University of Tsukuba.

I joined the APEC- Tsukuba International Conference XIII, and they offered a buffet lunch for all participants.  There was no doubt that this conference paved the way for me to be connected with academic life in the future. The university appointed a few guides to ease our movements in new places. The guide took us to a restaurant to have lunch. It was my first opportunity to test Japanese food. I thought I would not feel comfortable eating Japanese food when I  saw them on the table. My concept turned reversed when I tried them. These foods were very delicious, and everyone enjoyed them.

Most of the food items were preferable to me, except raw eggs. Japanese restaurants provide raw eggs, and many Japanese and foreigners eat them.  I stopped eating in the meantime, having lunch to think whether the foods were halal or not. I asked the guide for confirmation, and he replied that these foods were perfectly halal. He also said that all restaurants in Japan are not halal, so Muslims should be more aware of having food in Japanese restaurants.

The obesity rate in Japan is higher than in other countries; therefore, they set different prices for the same food for lunch and dinner. Usually, they set the dinner food price higher to discourage people from having heavy food at night.

Japan Restaurant

Figure 2: Traditional Japanese Restaurant

The gift-giving etiquette is another ritualistic and meaningful custom in Japan. They offer gifts on many occasions; for example, they provide many traditional gifts for all participants at the conference. Nobody can deny the cordial hospitality offered by the University of Tsukuba. Along with me, all the participants from diverse countries became glad and praised them. They are treating us very politely. I became confused several times when I thought about how they attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941 in the United States. It seems Tokyo is the world's most secure and peaceful capital for living without the hassle.

I decided to rest for the third day because I was exhausted. We spent the whole day together inside the house, gossiping, cooking, and eating. In addition, we planned to roam around Tokyo the next day. I have to return to Malaysia in two days, so I need to plan to see all the best places in Tokyo within two days. We divided Tokyo City into two zones for visiting them in two days.

On the fourth day, my friend and I followed the train to visit SKYTREE, the tallest tower in Japan, located in Sumida, Tokyo. It costs only JP¥450 and takes around 30 minutes from Akabane station to Oshiage Station (SKYTREE), but it needs to change the platform two times. Since 2011, it has been the tallest structure in Japan, extending its height to 634.0 meters and making it the second tallest tower and structure globally, after the Canton Tower and the Burj Khalifa. The primary objective of using this tower is broadcasting; for example, they use it for TV signals and radio waves for national broadcaster NHK and a few numbers TV channels.

Every day they allow only 10,000 tourists to visit the sky tree. The ticket option is divided into three types: combo ticket, Tembo gallery, and Tembo deck. The ticket is around JP¥10 00 for all three tiers. Tourists can visit only one or two, or all three decks. My excitement was palpable when I was lifted to the top floor of the Sky Tree. We had seen all three tiers—the tower's appearance changes with changes in a light color.

My tour to Japan was successful when I saw Tokyo from the Tembo Deck and the tower's top floor. Viewing the entire city from the top floor at night was excellent. After all, I did not forget to buy some souvenirs from the observation levels of Tokyo Sky Tree; it made my journey more compelling.

Sky Tree Tokyo Japan

Figure 3: The Main Entrance of the Tokyo Skytree

Good time flies so fast. It was challenging to realize that I had spent five days here. My return flight schedule was at night; I made it to utilize the whole day sightseeing. On my fifth and final day in Japan, I visited many historical and traditional places, such as the Imperial Palace, the Sensō-Ji Temple, the National Museum of Nature and Science, and Ueno Park and Zoo. In addition, I tested Japanese street food; although these are a little bit expensive, some foods are cheap.

You can buy souvenirs, gifts, and food cheaply in many places. I purchased pens, gift items, and great souvenirs in Asakusa on Nakam Street. It’s a great street to visit and walk along your path to see the traditional temple, and along the walk, you can buy snacks and conventional gifts. Japanese people are well organized and always respect the senior people in every sector. Traditionally, seniority acted as the prime qualification for holding a higher rank.

In short, Tokyo is not an ordinary place that I forget quickly. According to Japanese "architect Tadao Ando “Look at London or Paris:  they are filthy. You don’t get that in Tokyo. The proud residents look after their city.” Traveling to Tokyo was a tour and an experience I earned adequately. I can forget my tour, but I cannot forget my experiences. So, if you love traveling, you will love Tokyo!

 
Short Travelogue Examples For Students-2
This article sample is collected from ChatGPT and includes a five-day tour history in Tokyo, Japan.
Tokyo: Embracing Tradition and Innovation in Japan's Dynamic Capital

Nestled on the eastern coast of Honshu island, Tokyo stands as a vibrant metropolis where ancient traditions seamlessly blend with cutting-edge technology. Join me as I explore this captivating city's bustling streets, serene temples, and culinary delights.

Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo

As I stepped off the plane and into the bustling Narita Airport, I was immediately struck by the energy and efficiency that defines Tokyo. After a smooth ride on the efficient train system, I arrived in the heart of the city and checked into my hotel in the vibrant Shibuya district. Eager to start exploring, I set out to experience the iconic Shibuya Crossing, where a sea of humanity ebbs and flows with each changing traffic light.

Day 2: Discovering Tokyo's Cultural Treasures

My second day in Tokyo was dedicated to immersing myself in the city's rich cultural heritage. I began by visiting the majestic Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, where the scent of incense filled the air and worshippers prayed for good fortune. Next, I wandered through the tranquil gardens of the Meiji Shrine, surrounded by towering cedar trees and peaceful serenity. In the evening, I indulged in a traditional izakaya dinner, savoring grilled skewers and sake in a cozy atmosphere reminiscent of old Japan.

Day 3: Exploring Modern Marvels

Tokyo is a city where tradition meets innovation, and nowhere is this more evident than in its modern architecture and technology. I spent my third day exploring the futuristic district of Odaiba, with its towering skyscrapers, high-tech shopping malls, and interactive museums. From the panoramic views of the city skyline from the Tokyo Skytree to the immersive exhibits at the teamLab Borderless digital art museum, I was constantly amazed by Tokyo's forward-thinking spirit.

Day 4: Culinary Adventures

No trip to Tokyo would be complete without sampling its world-renowned cuisine. I spent my fourth day indulging in a culinary adventure, from savoring fresh sushi at the iconic Tsukiji Fish Market to slurping ramen noodles at a bustling noodle shop in Shinjuku. I even tried my hand at making sushi during a hands-on cooking class, learning the art of rice preparation and fish slicing from a master chef.

Day 5: Reflections on Tokyo

As my time in Tokyo came to an end, I found myself reflecting on the myriad experiences and memories I had made in this dynamic city. From its ancient temples to its modern skyscrapers, Tokyo had captivated my heart and left an indelible mark on my soul. As I boarded the plane home, I knew that Tokyo would forever hold a special place in my heart, a city of endless possibilities and unforgettable moments.

This travelogue article offers a firsthand account of a journey through Tokyo, Japan, highlighting its cultural treasures, modern marvels, culinary delights, and vibrant atmosphere. Through vivid descriptions and personal reflections, it transports readers to the heart of this dynamic and captivating city

Travelogue Article Samples of the Newspaper

Malaysian English Newspaper Travel Article Link

The Daily Star Newspaper Travel Article Link Here

This is a travelogue article writing example for Students. This travelogue sample will help students to complete travel articles writing assignments and expand their knowledge. We appreciate your comments and suggestions.