Last time I discussed the benefits for customer satisfaction that mediation can provide in consumer-business disputes. Another benefit to businesses (and, ultimately, to consumers when business costs are kept in check) is that mediation is cost-effective. Instead of a prolonged battle that consumes the time and money of both sides, mediation can be both faster and less expensive than a lawsuit or even an arbitration. Because parties retain control of the situation, they decide if the best negotiated agreement they can achieve is a better resolution than what they are likely to achieve if they go another route. A mediator can help parties consider the pros and cons and move both sides to an agreement that ends the conflict and meets with both parties’ approval.
Posted in Business Mediation, Sunday, August 31st, 2008
