BATNA: How to find your "Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement"

The recent Market Business Intelligence event hosted by the Professionals Academy MidGen provided participants with exciting insights into the world of negotiation. We had the pleasure of welcoming Prof. Dr. Hartmut Walz, a renowned expert in the field of negotiation. One of his central focuses was an in-depth exploration of the renowned Harvard concept, which is considered one of the leading strategies in negotiation. In particular, we delved into the concept of the "Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement" (abbreviated in English as BATNA).

The concept of BATNA promises not only to achieve successful outcomes for businesses but also to revolutionize the way negotiations are conducted and solutions are found. To ensure that you benefit from our valuable insights and are well-equipped for future negotiations, we have prepared a summary of the BATNA concept for you, along with examples for better illustration.

The Power of BATNA

Your Key to Negotiation Success in the world of negotiations, all parties involved must recognize that compromises often need to be found and concessions made. It is therefore not advisable to enter into negotiations with only a single option. But what happens when an agreement seems unattainable? This is precisely where BATNA, the Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement, comes into play – as your crucial fallback, your Plan B in negotiations. But what exactly does this concept entail, how do you find your BATNA, and why is it so crucial?

What is BATNA?

BATNA stands for "Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement." Developed within the renowned Harvard concept by negotiation experts Roger Fisher and William Ury, BATNA serves as a guide to action options available when a satisfactory agreement cannot be reached. So, the question behind BATNA always is: "What do I do if the negotiation fails, and how much is it worth to me?" Those who cannot answer this question are unprepared for negotiation.

Why is BATNA important?

A strong BATNA not only gives you psychological power to say no but also significantly strengthens your bargaining position. It enables you to clearly define your boundaries and know when it is sensible to walk away from the negotiation. In short, your BATNA gives you control over the negotiation process and provides you with security in a potentially uncertain situation. How do you find your BATNA? Defining your BATNA requires some time and consideration, but the effort pays off.

Here are some steps that can help you find your BATNA:

1. Find Alternatives: Consider different courses of action you could take if the negotiation fails. What are your fallback positions?

2. Develop Concrete Plans: Explore realistically achievable options and identify those that could bring you the greatest benefit.

3. Evaluate Your Plans: Assess the potential outcomes of your alternatives and consider which ones are most promising.

4. Select Your Best Option: The option with the best potential outcome will be your BATNA.

How Do You Calculate Your BATNA?

To calculate your BATNA, carefully analyze several concrete offers. It's important to consider not only the price or salary but also all relevant factors. This can be done through the use of a point system or assigning monetary values. Before the actual negotiation, it's crucial to evaluate all alternatives and choose the one with the highest value. In complex negotiations, your team's expertise may be helpful in evaluating discrepancies between different offers. It's essential that your BATNA be as concrete as possible. A superficial look at the situation or vague assumptions won't suffice. For example, terminating a sales negotiation should only occur if there's either a better purchase offer or if the costs incurred until then wouldn't be covered by the potential negotiation outcome. While calculating the BATNA is important before the negotiation, its true significance is revealed at the critical moment: when you have to decide between "yes" or "no." Agree if your position is better than your BATNA, and decline if you're worse off.

Examples of BATNA

• Investment Opportunities: If you're considering investing money, your BATNA could involve exploring alternative investment opportunities with potentially higher returns and lower risks. For instance, you might decide to invest your money in stocks, bonds, or real estate, depending on your risk preferences and return goals.

• Project Partnerships: In negotiations over partnerships, you might consider an alternative partnership that offers you more resources or expertise. For example, another company might have a broader customer base or access to technologies that would strengthen your competitiveness.

• Supplier Contracts: If a supplier rejects unreasonable terms, you could turn to other suppliers who can meet your needs. For example, you could find alternative suppliers willing to offer better prices or accept more flexible contract terms to meet your requirements.

Conclusion: Plan Your BATNA Carefully

BATNA is a powerful tool that gives you a strategic and flexible position in negotiations. By carefully planning and developing your BATNA, you can more effectively pursue your negotiation goals and achieve better results. Remember that the strength of your BATNA depends on individual circumstances and alternatives. Invest time and attention in defining your BATNA, and you'll find that you can approach the negotiation table with more confidence and persuasiveness.