Conflict in the business world

Whether it be difficulties with suppliers and customers, patent infringements or problems with employees: Normally objective discussion quickly becomes emotional and positions harden.

Frequently court litigation becomes the only way to solve the problem. Control over the proceedings is taken out of the hands of the adversarial parties and the decision is made - whenever it gets to it - by the court.

Considered commercially, serious disadvantages become apparent: Recourse to courts means a considerable expenditure of time and money and in many cases does not even lead to the results hoped for. Behind most conflicts there are entrepreneurial, commercial or personal objectives that are not taken into account in court proceedings and which consequently have no bearing on the ultimate outcome.

But since only fulfilment of the parties' own objectives can permanently solve a conflict, more and more companies are using mediation and similar techniques for the solution of conflicts. In this way all of those involved can work out a suitable solution while protecting their own interests.