The family business is a cornerstone of the Dutch economy. Both in employment and business stability, family businesses rank first. However, working with family, in the first, second or even third generation, also presents its own challenges.
Source of conflict
Potential conflicts in a family business are plentiful: differences in future vision, (partly unaccepted) power relations, succession issues, more general forms of clash (e.g. of characters) or even (marital) separation of shareholders. Simply different ideas about ongoing operations can also create tension.
Timely intervention
The key is to identify and address these potential conflicts as early as possible. A mediator can be of great value here, as they can make the issues negotiable without personal interest or hidden agenda.
Usually both business and family relationship-related aspects come into play simultaneously in this type of case. Thus, the business mediator must also be familiar with the dynamics and potential issues within family relationships.
Our people
Our mediators are experienced in both areas and can also act together if required to provide you with the best possible service. With years of experience in family businesses, banking and business, they are familiar with a wide variety of business forms, and with quickly gained insight into your issues, they can assist you as efficiently and professionally as possible. We take a solution-oriented approach, respecting and understanding mutual relationships.
Our way of working
In an initial intake, we get to know each other and hear from each party individually about the business disputes at hand. We work with you to determine who needs to come to the table to resolve those disputes. Sometimes advisors such as the accountant, lawyer or in-house counsel also join the joint sessions. After the table setting and agenda are determined, we will begin the joint discussions, where you can expect us to lead a balanced and effective mediation process in our role as neutral and impartial mediator(s). Generally, they require three to four two-hour joint sessions to reach a lasting solution. The result is usually recorded in writing in a settlement agreement.
Timeline
A pure business mediation takes two to six weeks, depending on the complexity of the case and availability of clients and their advisors. It is fair to say that the duration of a family business mediation, precisely because of the interconnectedness, often has its own pace. One case is resolved relatively quickly precisely because of the desire to unify the family connections and the business together; another mediation, on the other hand, may take longer so that decisions can mature.
Free contact
Do you need a free, confidential sparring session to discuss a dormant issue in your business? Please feel free to contact us.
Might also be interesting:
- Is mediation too big a step, but do you need guidance for a dialogue about, for example, the future of the company, division of labor and/or working together? Perhaps dialogue coaching might be of interest to you
- Sometimes it is too early to sit down together, but you have a personal question about your professional functioning that you want to take a closer look at. If so, you might consider personal coaching
- To learn more about our mediators, visit our people’s profile pages
The key is to identify and address these potential conflicts as early as possible.
Our Services
Mediation Amsterdam mediates and assists in the following areas
