MBA WordPlay: BATNA

This post is part of a continuing series of words and phrases that you’re likely to hear in b-school, but may not be familiar with.

This is one of my favorites, and if you take a Negotiations class, you’ll become intimately acquainted with the BATNA.  Its an acronym that stands for Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement.

Essentially, when two parties sit down at the negotiating table, each side has a BATNA — which is the course of action that side will take if no agreement is reached.

If you’re interested, there’s plenty more to be found at Wikipedia.  Enjoy!

Like this feature?  Hate it?  Current and post-MBAs, have some phrases or words you wish you knew before you got to school?  Or ones that have just stuck with you?  Let me know by posting a comment below.