Four F’s The four F’s of assertive communication are Facts, Feelings, Future and Feedback. Following these four f’s can be an effective way of responding when you are in a situation of confrontation. When I was in a situation of confrontation I was sure to state the facts of the matter; remaining neutral I told my flatmate about how she was missing her day to do the dishes which meant I had double the amount to do the next day when it was my turn. I was sure not to blame her or assume the rightness or wrongness of her actions. The next F is Feelings; I described the fact it felt unfair to me and that it was effecting my mood. The third F was to focus on action; I simply asked her to do her day in which I waited for the fourth F, Feedback, where I gave her the opportunity to respond as communication is two-way. The outcome was successful and positive as she understood and was apologetic.

Negotiation StyleA situation where I used the negotiation style of Integrative strategy is when I was selling an item of clothing using the buy and sell site on Facebook, Walk in Wardrobe. This collaborative negation style has a win-win outcome where all parties benefit from the negotiation process. The first stage of negotiation is Preparation; the first key to successful is to prepare well before hand. I knew the lowest price I was willing to sell this item of clothing as well as the price I was hoping for including the price of postage to send to the buyer.

The second stage is Discussion; this stage is to establish a positive climate for the negotiation. When selling clothes online it is important to be positive and assertive as well as friendly in order to have a successful sale. During this stage I find out what the other party wants as well as using closed questions to confirm and deal with generalisations.

The third stage is Proposals and bargaining; I stated that I wanted X amount of dollars for my item of clothing but I was open to offers near my asking price. A potential buyer commented on my post and I received an offer that was close to an amount I would decline. I agreed to sell it if she would pay a further $4 for postage.

During the fourth stage which is closing the deal, myself and the person I was negotiating with came to an agreement in which she would buy my item for X amount of dollars. She sent me her address details over private messenger and it was a positive that this negotiating was done in writing so we both were able to see the deal in front of us so there was no issue of getting different ideas if it were to happen verbally.

Sustainable DevelopmentA Sustainable development dilemma is described as a "Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987).

In 2008 alone, Coal mining produced 4.9 million tonnes of coal mostly in the west coast, Waikato and Southland with over 2 million tonnes being exported (Forest and Bird, 2011). Coal is produced from four underground and 21 opencast mines with Solid Energy being the largest Coal mining company. Mining is New Zealand is a sustainable development dilemma as it is a large industry not only domestically but internationally, yet it has such negative impacts environmentally.

Although mining makes a significant contribution to the economy while creating job opportunities for thousands of New Zealanders, it has adverse effects on the environment. Mining companies must be aware of the impacts on the environment so they are able to mine as sustainable as possible. Solid Energy says it is committed to maximising wealth for New Zealand in a socially

acceptable and environmentally sustainable manner that maintains their licence to operate (Solid Energy 2015).

EthicsPersonal ethics are those that positively impact the experience of others when dealing with an individual’s social or business related behaviour. These ethics should not have a negative impact on others which is why it is important for Solid Energy to have such ethics while making decisions about sustainable development. Personal ethics would influence Solid Energy’s managers as they want their reputation about Coal mining to focus on how they are sustainable; this would require them to put the public interest before professional and business interests. If the public were to see Solid Energy as an unethical company, it would affect their reputation about environmental issues negatively and may highlight a conflict between professional interest and public interest.

Venn diagram

Economy-Solid Energy announces voluntary administration

ahead of sale

Governance-Government ministers failed to react when the coal price moved south and markets

dried up-Bailed out by the

government

Social/ Cultural-Hundreds of job losses

-Tax payers money

Environment-Coal mines expose

sulphide in rocks to air and water

-Creating roads impacts landscape and natural

habitats-Deforestation

Perceptual map

Nova Energy’s electricity comes from a mix of energy types including renewables and has its own electricity generation capability, and sources natural gas and LPG from Todd Energy. More than 100,000 families have switched to Nova due the amount saved on their energy bill.

Meridian is New Zealand's largest electricity generator; generating from renewable resources- water and wind. Meridian has a long term commitment to the environment and sustainability making a commitment to ensure New Zealand's natural and physical resources are used as effectively and responsibly as possible to benefit the environment

Genisis Energy provides a sustainable supply of renewable power and are constantly reviewing how they can do better for the environment aiming to minimise their footprint through sustainably managing the use, development and protection of the natural resources which they impact on.

Mercury Energy is the supplier for about 400,000 New Zealand homes and businesses across the country.

Compared to the companies listed, Solid Energy is the least environmentally friendly and sustainable as it is the only company that uses coal.

Meridian EnergyA customer that Meridian Energy targets and attempts to influence through the buyer decision process is a new home buyer that is of a younger demographic.

The first step to the buyer decision process is needing recognition; this is when the buyer recognises and problem or a need. A need can also be triggered by external stimuli, an example being an advertisement. Meridian Energy’s advertisements will grab the attention of the age of a first time

SUSTAINABLE

NOT SUSTAINABLE

POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Meridian

Mercury

Genisis

Nova

home buyer as they have promoted their product of power and electricity by using a familiar face and TV personality of the same demographic, Jeremy Wells.

The second step is the information search; an interested person may search for more information. A customer of a younger demographic is more likely to search the internet before anything else. When visiting the Meridian Energy the first advertised information you see is a promotion to sign up with their company for “$150 free power plus a welcome gift”. Through the website the customer is able to find the price for each customer’s circumstance as well as letting the environmentally conscious user about their efforts of solar farms, wind farms, hydro stations and power stations placed throughout the country.

The third step the evaluation of alternatives; this is when the customer goes about evaluating purchase alternatives depending on their buying situation. What separates Meridian Energy from other companies is how they generate power and electricity from renewable sources like wind and water.

The fourth step is the purchase decision; in this evaluation stage the consumer ranks brand and forms purchase intentions.

The last step is the post-purchase behaviour; this is when the customer determines whether or not they are satisfied or dissatisfied. This relies on the relationship between the consumer’s expectations and the products perceived performance. Once joined with the company, the customer will receive their free gift of either a $50 ‘prezzy card’ or a ‘Ecostore’ personal care hamper which is environmentally friendly, backing up the company’s promise of wanting to sustain our environment.

Below is an example of Meridian Energy’s marketing of their website.

ReferencesBarnett, Sandra, and Susan O'Rourke. Communication. Auckland, N.Z.: Pearson Education N.Z., 2006. Print.

Mining Q & A (2011) Retrieved from http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/saving-our-environment/mining-q

New Zealand Power Companies (2015) Retrieved from http://www.switchme.co.nz/residential/power-companies.php

Armstrong, Gary et al. Principles Of Marketing. Print. 2010

The World Bank Group. (2001). What is Sustainable Development. Retrieved from http://www.worldbank.org/depweb/english/sd.html