what is batna 
batna means the best alternative to a negotiated agreement it refers to the next course of action a negotiator may take if a negotiation fails to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion veteran negotiators often go into a negotiation knowing what their batna is the bottom linenegotiating is essential in daily life business and international affairs being a successful negotiator means defining a personal goal trying to understand the other party s position and compromising if necessary a successful negotiation leaves everyone satisfied that they have gotten a deal they can live with 