WALTER WHITE AND SKYLAR WHITE

NEGOTIATION ANALYSIS

Team 017

Intra-University Alternative Dispute Resolution Competition

STRATEGIC STRONG POINTS
Walter White (“Walter Senior” or “Walter”)
 Responsibility of Parents: Walter’s parents are very important to
him. The fact that he cannot abandon this responsibility towards
them means that he cannot shift to Phoenix.
 Moral Obligation: He has an obligation to serve Hermanos through
giving back to the society that gave him everything.
Skylar White (“Skylar”)
 Better Education: Walter Junior wants to go to Pinkman School of
Law. Phoenix has the educational infrastructure to help him
prepare better for university than Hermanos can.
 Sound financial resources: Skylar has been offered a job in one of
the Big Four accounting firms based in Phoenix. Walter can also get
a job that is better than the one he has. Walter Jr.’s education and
Walter Sr.’s parents old age mandates sound finances.

STRATEGIC WEAK POINTS

Walter
 Better Law Preparations: Moving to Phoenix is more beneficial to
Walter Jr.’s education in the long run which he has to consider.
 Better Employment: Better job opportunities for both, leading to
more financial stability.
Skylar
 Deserting her in-laws: It is unreasonable to expect Walter’s parents
to uproot their life in Hermanos. It would also be problematic to
leave them behind in the status quo.
 Walter is too old to set up a new life: At the age of 42 “financial
stability” is not a good enough consideration to leave.

NEEDS AND INTERESTS

Walter

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  Convince Skylar to stay: He needs to convince her that what they
have in Hermanos, is enough, and they have a moral obligation to
work for Hermanos.
 Continue serving Hermanos and caring for his parents: Walter feels
an obligation to work towards his society and his parents, both of
whom have given him so much.
Skylar
 Provide best education: Moving to Phoenix will benefit Walter
Junior. Walter Jr. will get more educational opportunities by
studying in Phoenix than in Hermanos.
 Provide financial stability for her family: This would mean more
luxuries for the Whites and also better education for their son and
better medical care for Walter’s parents.

BEST ALTERNATIVE TO NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT (BATNA)

Walter
 Walter Junior permanently moves to Phoenix for the duration of his
education. Skylar remains in Hermanos.
Skylar
 Skylar and Walter Junior move to Phoenix. Skylar and Walter meet
on weekends.

WORST ALTERNATIVE TO NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT (WATNA)

Walter
 Walter moves with his wife and son to Phoenix and comes back on
weekends to teach kids in Hermanos. A full-time private nurse is
employed to look after Walter’s parents.
Skylar
 Skylar accepts the promotion that she has received. Walter Junior
moves to Phoenix to prepare for law school.

OBJECTIVES AND GOALS

Walter
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  To better the education environment in Hermanos: Walter wants to
better the education system in Hermanos and help the school kids
there.
 To ensure the wellbeing of his family: Surely Walter’s goal is not
just to take care of his parents but also to care for his wife and kid.
This entails making sure his son gets the best possible education
for his future and his wife also is as happy and satisfied with life as
possible.
Skylar
 To be in a financially stable domestic life: All Skylar wants is to
provide a financially stable environment for her family so they do
not have to live hand-to-mouth.
 Work for the comfortable life to Walter Jr.: This means not only
providing him with a good education but also providing him with as
many luxuries as possible to ensure his comfortable and easy life
and good prospects for the future.

END OF DOCUMENT