Posted on 07/11/2010
Do you agree with everyone all of the time? Sometimes not being able to agree leads to disputes which affect our business and/or have an impact on the way we live our lives.
Mediation helps people who are struggling to settle their differences find a solution that’s good enough for those involved. There are no losers in a successful mediation, just winners.
Sam and Henry’s story is an example of how mediation can be of real benefit to businesses and relationships in business.
Sam runs her own business and was becoming increasingly frustrated that one of her regular customers, Henry, failed to pay a large invoice that Sam desperately needed to be paid. Every time she spoke to Henry he promised to pay “soon,” but then he announced that Sam’s work wasn’t up to scratch so the invoice wasn’t going to be paid at all! Sam fumed and thought about what to do. She could take Henry to Court, but that would cost money, take a long time (Sam needed cash quickly) and she didn’t have a clue about what story he was going to tell.
Sam had read about mediation and thought it worth a try. She contacted Henry and after some discussion they accepted they couldn’t sort this out themselves and agreed to go along to try mediation and to share the cost, which they thought reasonable.
Arrangements made, they went along to the mediation. There were two mediators - it was explained to Sam and Henry that the process often benefitted from two, who were completely neutral and non-judgemental. Sam and Henry each spoke freely and in confidence with the mediators. When the mediators brought them together they facilitated an open, honest and, importantly, confidential discussion between Sam and Henry. They were each able to hear and understand the other’s position. Sam explained about her financial pressures, and it turned out Henry had his own money problems but didn’t want to tell Sam in case she told others and Henry’s reputation was damaged. As a result Sam and Henry created and agreed their own solution to the problem.
Sam is still doing work for Henry and both feel they have a much better working relationship thanks to the mediation process.
Whatever your disagreement, mediation can help you resolve it – contact Business Mediation Matters to find out more. Telephone 0117 9089678
