BUSINESSES URGED TO CONSIDER MEDIATION TO RESOLVE DISPUTES

Businesses should be making use of mediation to resolve disputes, whether with external bodies or amongst their own staff – that was the message from one of Norfolk’s foremost specialists on the subject at the latest Lovewell Blake ‘Building Brilliance in Business’ masterclass.

Mark Fitch, partner at Hatch Brenner Solicitors, outlined the considerable benefits of mediation and gave practical tips to the audience of business owners and managers, as part of the year-long programme of free events featuring industry experts and business gurus sharing their expertise.

Mr Fitch holds the ranking of ‘Elite Mediator’ with Clerksroom, the country’s leading mediation table provider, and is registered with the Civil Mediation Council.  He spoke about how mediation can help resolve disputes both between businesses and within the workplace, avoiding expensive and stressful court action, and often resulting in in a resolution which is more acceptable to both sides.

“Mediation can be a good way to resolve commercial disputes without resorting to litigation, which is costly, time-consuming and distracting from the main focus of any business,” Mr Fitch told delegates. 

“In the workplace, it can lead to happier employees, the withdrawal of grievances, and protection against claims against the employer.

“Our society is arguably becoming more confrontational and more antagonistic; mediation can help cool the temperature of a dispute, and find a resolution which is satisfactory to both parties.”

The masterclass was the eighth in a series of ten being presented across the year by Lovewell Blake, aimed at helping business owner and managers achieve ‘business brilliance’.  The two remaining masterclasses in 2018 are:

• Wellbeing in the workplace – Thursday 8th November.  Vicky Webber, HR consultant at Lovewell Blake, will explain the growing emphasis on employee wellbeing in keeping staff engaged, reducing sickness absence and staff turnover.  She will cover the benefits of implementing a wellbeing strategy and provide guidance on a range of cost-effective wellbeing initiatives.
• Dealing with the media – Thursday 6th December.  Mark Shields, business editor of the Eastern Daily Press, will explain how traditional media is still enormously powerful for business, and give some practical tips about how to engage with journalists positively.

Each masterclass takes place at Lovewell Blake’s Norwich office on Broadland Business Park from 6pm to 8pm.  The events are free to attend, but places must be reserved in advance.  For more details, go to www.lovewell-blake.co.uk/building-business-brilliance.