Which activity strengthens your BATNA in negotiations?

• A. Identifying viable alternatives, researching alternatives, setting reservation point.
• B. Only focusing on current negotiation.
• C. Avoiding any preparation.
• D. Threatening consequences.

Answer: (A)

In negotiations, your BATNA is your best option if the current deal falls through. Strengthening it means building solid fallback choices and a clear walk-away point. The strongest way to boost your BATNA is to identify viable alternatives, research those options so you know their value and feasibility, and set a reservation point—the minimum outcome you’ll accept before you walk away. This gives you real leverage because you’re not dependent on the terms currently on the table; you have credible alternatives you can pursue if needed.

The other approaches don’t build a stronger BATNA. Focusing only on the current negotiation narrows your view and ignores what else you could do. Skipping preparation leaves you without informed backups, so you’re more likely to accept a weak deal. Using threats as a tactic can backfire, harm relationships, and reveals you lack solid alternatives.