business MEDIATION in amsterdam

Business disputes I work with

  • Shareholders and business partners

  • Boards and management teams

  • Founders and co-founders

  • Executives and senior management

  • Companies and long-term business partners

  • Joint ventures and strategic partnerships

  • Investors and management

  • Professional partnerships

When a business conflict starts getting in the way

Business conflicts are rarely just about contracts, money or legal positions. They often involve a combination of commercial interests, personal relationships, trust, leadership and different views about the future.

When communication deteriorates, these conflicts can become expensive and increasingly difficult to resolve. Decisions are postponed, relationships become entrenched and lawyers may become more involved — while the underlying conflict remains.

Business mediation provides a confidential and structured way to address both the commercial issues and the dynamics behind them.

Issues may concern strategy, ownership, governance, responsibilities, performance, financial interests, decision-making, a breakdown in trust or the departure of a shareholder, partner or executive.

Resolving the conflict — without losing sight of the business

Litigation has its place. But in many business disputes, a court or arbitration procedure addresses only part of the problem.

The parties may still own a company together. They may need to continue doing business. A board still needs to make decisions. Or the real question may be how one of the parties can leave without unnecessarily damaging the company.

Mediation creates a confidential setting in which the parties can step away from increasingly fixed positions and examine what needs to happen next.

The objective is not necessarily to restore the relationship. Sometimes it is.

In other situations, a successful mediation means agreeing on a workable separation, an exit, new governance arrangements or clear conditions for continuing the business relationship.

A mediator who understands the business context

I am an MfN-registered mediator, former corporate lawyer and executive coach.

Before becoming a mediator and coach, I worked for many years as a corporate/commercial lawyer and legal counsel in international business environments. I have also been involved in building a startup myself.

This background allows me to understand the legal and commercial context of a dispute without turning the mediation into a legal procedure.

At the same time, my work as an executive coach means that I pay close attention to the less visible part of business conflict: communication, behaviour, trust, leadership, personal interests and the dynamics between the people involved.

Both usually matter if a durable solution is to be found.

When should you involve a mediator?

You do not have to wait until a dispute has escalated.

Mediation or facilitated conflict resolution can be particularly useful when:

  • conversations repeatedly end in the same disagreement;

  • important decisions can no longer be made;

  • trust between shareholders, partners or executives is deteriorating;

  • lawyers have become involved but the parties would prefer to find a business solution;

  • a shareholder, founder or executive may need to leave;

  • the conflict is beginning to affect employees, investors, clients or the value of the business;

  • the parties want to preserve confidentiality and control over the outcome.

Early intervention often leaves considerably more room for solutions.

Specific business conflicts

Founder & Co-Founder Disputes
When disagreements about roles, strategy, equity or the future threaten the founder relationship or the company.

VC & Private Equity / Portfolio Companies
Conflict involving founders, investors, management teams, boards and shareholders in VC- and PE-backed businesses.

Executive & Workplace Mediation
Confidential mediation for conflicts involving executives, managers, professionals and teams.

 
 

A CONFIDENTIAL FIRST CONVERSATION

You may not yet know whether mediation is the right next step. You are welcome to contact me first to discuss the situation confidentially and without obligation.

I am available in Amsterdam, throughout the Netherlands and online for international matters.

Robert de Wilde
MfN-registered mediator | Former corporate lawyer | Executive coach