How to Choose a Business Mediator

Businesses benefit a great deal from using mediation to resolve disputes.  Working with a Miami business mediator can save you time, money, and frustration, and make it easier all-around to resolve conflicts.

Mediation is efficient and effective for settling business disputes and allowing everyone involved to move forward.  In some cases, mutually beneficial business relationships can be maintained when mediation is the method used for resolving the problem.  This is rarely the case in litigation because someone is bound to view the outcome as a loss, which is not the case with mediation.

Once you have decided mediation could be an effective way for you to resolve a business dispute, the next step is to find a mediator.  A skilled Miami business mediator is the key to a successful mediation.  How do you choose the best mediator?

There is no magic formula for choosing a mediator, but taking things step by step can help.  If you think that working with a Miami business mediator might help you, try the following:

Know What You Want

Having clear goals in mind when looking for a mediator makes it easier to find the best person for your dispute.  Even if your goals are not crystal clear (the mediator can help with this later), you should have some idea what you need.  Are you looking for someone familiar with your industry? Do you want someone to facilitate conversation between disputing parties or would you rather someone provide ideas for potential resolutions? Do you simply need someone to make sure the conversation stays on track and the outcome is sufficient? Consider all of these things before you begin searching for your Miami business mediator.

Compile a List of Potential Mediators

Now that you know what you are looking for in a mediator, it is time to begin creating a list of potential mediators.  You can utilize several resources for this including word of mouth, the internet, and referral services.  Pay special attention to those names that appear in more than one location.  For instance, if you see someone online and come to you from a referral service, and then someone you know recommends him or her, this is someone to take note of.

Interviews

Now you will want to interview the potential mediators.  This is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about a specific mediator.  During these consultations, you will want to consider the mediator’s:

  • Training
  • Knowledge and experience
  • Style and approach
  • Logistics
  • Cost

Choose Your Mediator

At this point, it is time to choose a mediator.  You will need to decide what factors on the list of criteria take priority.  For instance, you do not necessarily want to choose a mediator based on cost, but you also need to make sure you can afford a particular mediator’s services.  Ideally, you will find someone based on a combination of affordable price, experience in your industry, and a favorable style and approach to the mediation process.

For more information or to learn how working with a Miami business mediator could benefit you, contact Francis Carter at 305-776-9143 or visit his website at www.flcarterpa.com.

Download Chapter By Francis L. Carter

Bankruptcy Mediation is a treatise published by the American Bankruptcy Institute