Business Mediation
Can Mediation Help Partnership Communication Problems?
Dear Ms. Allison: I am so frustrated with my business partner. He got the business as part of a divorce settlement, so I think there’s “baggage” that enters the picture. Every time we disagree, he immediately gets defensive. His approach to communication about problems is to get louder and louder. He talks over me so…
Read MoreMediating Succession Planning Ices the Cake
Flawed, unwritten, or unclear Succession Plans are often behind a business’ failure to thrive when it moves to the next generation of leadership. A mediator adds value in a Business Succession Planning process. Why? Both to clearly outline the leadership of its future and to assure processes are in place to handle unexpected change once…
Read MoreWhat estate disputes can be mediated?
Dear Ms. Allison: What sorts of things can be mediated in a Will Contest or other estate dispute? Lily Rose, Western Oklahoma Dear Lily Rose:An estate dispute (anything involving an inheritance whether with a Will or from no planning) generally happens after the death of a family member or loved one. Occasionally, a dispute arises…
Read MoreWhat does mediating a customer dispute with a business do?
Dear Ms. Allison: I have a dispute with a company. I keep trying to resolve it but think I am getting “the run around”. Things keep dragging out, on and on, but there is a time limit for me to take action and I have become suspicious that they are taking advantage of me by…
Read MoreHow often is employment discrimination mediated instead of handled in court?
Dear Ms. Allison: Our company is involved in an employment discrimination lawsuit – hiring practices. I wonder whether mediation would really resolve things faster and at less cost. How often is mediation successful in these issues, rather than having the force of a court order to force the issue? CR in North Texas Dear CR:…
Read MoreBringing outside talent into a family business succession debate?
Dear Ms. Allison: My family is fighting over where to go next with our mid-sized company. We want to grow and some of us think we should bring in executives from outside the family to get a better perspective and add to our current skills. Others are afraid that letting in “outsiders” will lose control…
Read MoreMediating a Partner Dispute about Business Succession
Dear Ms. Allison: My employers have come to a standoff. They no longer speak except behind closed doors. They seem unaware that we can all hear them angrily yelling back there. About 16 months ago, I was asked for some managers’ employee evaluations and information on business succession (I do the HR stuff). Things seemed…
Read MoreAren’t Mediators as expensive as Lawyers?
Dear Ms. Allison: I thought about mediation for my business dispute, but in researching mediators, some cost as much as lawyers. It looks like I’d just be spending my same money on a mediator instead of a lawyer. Where’s the cost savings? MRP, Denver Dear MRP: Great question. Really experienced private mediators may indeed have…
Read More3 Problems To Solve With Family Business Mediation
Many people think of mediation instead of court when looking to resolve personal or family disputes and business disagreements. It is faster, more affordable, and less contentious as a problem-solving tool than a lawsuit will ever be. Mediation is also the best solution for family business disputes that muddy the waters between personal and business…
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