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Services

Conflict facilitation, mediation
and process support

In situations where people bear corporate responsibility, tensions, conflicts of interest and disputes can arise. Left unresolved, these issues will affect decision-making, working relationships and performance. This can be avoided through professionally supported clarification processes, as they provide guidance, restore the ability to act and open up new perspectives for companies, shareholders and management teams.

Our
approach and
working methods
more

Creating the conditions for a trusting working relationship

Conflicts within companies usually develop over a long period of time, whether between shareholders, within management teams, or amongst those involved in change and succession processes. What might initially only be a difference of opinion eventually becomes something that makes it impossible to reach decisions, undermines trust and, ultimately, always also leads to financial losses.

We provide support to entrepreneurs, shareholders and executives in challenging and conflict-ridden situations with a structured and confidential approach and a clear understanding of both the business and personal dynamics involved.

Our work combines expertise in tax, legal and business matters, as well as an understanding of business, with systemic process management skills and professional conflict mediation. We aim not only to resolve the conflict but also to create the conditions for a sustainable and constructive working relationship.

Conflicts are allowed

Conflicts are inevitable in any organisation, but if handled wisely, they can drive important change. They become problematic, however, when communication breaks down, positions become entrenched or necessary decisions are not made.

The consequences often manifest themselves in

  • stalled decision-making processes,
  • growing tensions amongst shareholders or senior management,
  • internal friction affecting working relationships,
  • a declining ability to adapt, 
  • an increasing personal burden on the persons involved, and
  • financial risks arising from delays or escalations.

External process support helps create a structured and safe setting where complex situations can be clarified, different perspectives brought to light and viable solutions developed. In small and medium-sized enterprises and family-run businesses in particular, this often ensures stability, future viability and a successful, smooth transformation.

 

Conflicts in leadership, management and amongst shareholders

Conflicts at management and shareholder level have an immediate impact on the entire organisation. Decisions are delayed, cooperation becomes more difficult and uncertainty spreads to members of staff.

 

Our support aims to

  • resolve deadlocked situations,
  • restore the ability to make decisions,
  • clarify roles and expectations, and
  • reshape the way of working together.
 

Our work draws on many years of experience in providing tax and business management support to small and medium-sized enterprises and their shareholders and our sound expertise and practical experience in conflict mediation and process support.

Supporting change processes

Change processes not only present practical challenges but invariably also transform the dynamics of leadership, working relationships and communication. Resistance, uncertainty or concealed conflicts can significantly complicate necessary developments.

 

We support companies in areas such as

  • restructuring,
  • changes in management or shareholder structures,
  • reorganisation or transformation processes, and frequently in
  • company succession.
 

Mediation in family businesses

You may be interested in our podcast on “Mediation in family businesses”. Benedikt Kastrup, auditor and mediator, talks to Dietmar Engel, a partner at HLB Stückmann, about his experiences with mediation in family businesses: reaching an understanding in emotionally charged conflicts through structured, open-ended discussions.  // Podcast

 

Facilitating complex discussions and decision-making processes

Not every difficult situation requires a formal mediation process. In many cases, simply bringing in a professional external mediator is enough to create the necessary framework for resuming constructive discussions and reaching decisions.

 

This applies in particular to

  • sensitive decision-making processes,
  • meetings prone to conflict,
  • cross-departmental tensions,
  • complex coordination processes and
  • situations with a high potential for escalation.
 

We do not always view conflicts
as disruptions but often as an indication
of certain developmental steps.

Our approach and working methods

Successful conflict resolution requires more than just methodological knowledge. The decisive factors are experience, clarity, trust and a deep understanding of commercial, tax and business management realities.

 

On the one hand, our work is based on outstanding and tried-and-tested expertise in tax, legal and business management matters relating to the specific circumstances of family businesses; and, at the same time, on

  • confidentiality
  • impartiality,
  • structured process management,
  • economic insight and
  • a systemic perspective.

We do not always view conflicts as disruptions but often as an indication that certain developmental steps are due, whether within companies, management systems or in terms of cooperation.