BEST ALTERNATIVE TO A NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT

December 27, 2019 By In WHEN MEDIATION WORKS No Comments

Where parties fail to reach an agreement in a negotiation, several alternatives are available to them. The most preferable of the alternatives is called the Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement (BATNA). A negotiator’s BATNA is the course of action he will pursue if the current negotiation results in an impasse.

  1. Negotiation is a practical process that is part of every day life. We often take it for granted sometimes forgetting that we constantly negotiate at home and at work over things large and small.
  2. Regardless of the subject matter, a stalled negotiation suggests that the other party isn’t ready to commit. So ask him directly what is holding  him back. If he needs you to compromise and you feel that his request in reasonable, then compromise.
  3. If not, the other party may have a hidden agenda and could be wasting your time. Hidden agendas are a clear time waster and a hint that it may be time for you to move on.
  4. Sometimes ending a stalled negotiation may clear the deck and allow to  seek a better deal elsewhere.
  5. At times, the ‘best alternative to a negotiated agreement’ is no agreement at all, for the time being until a better opportunity arises.

About The Author

Jack Zwicker

TIPS