A few months ago I happened upon a podcast in which two great thinkers discussed and disagreed on a range of subjects. I enjoyed the respectful and well-reasoned discussion and disagreement. At the same time, it dawned on me that the meaningful exchange of ideas has become scarce in our social media world.

A few months ago I happened upon a podcast in which two great thinkers discussed and disagreed on a range of subjects. I enjoyed the respectful and well-reasoned discussion and disagreement. At the same time, it dawned on me that the meaningful exchange of ideas has become scarce in our social media world.

At its most basic level, a mediation is a negotiation between disputing parties facilitated by an expert mediator, who assists the parties to resolve their dispute.

Mediation has been around in Australia for decades.   The Victorian County Court began referring proceedings to mediation in 1983 and the Victorian Supreme Court introduced it as part of the “Spring Offensive” in the early 90s when hundreds of cases listed and waiting for trial were referred to mediation.

As human beings we begin negotiating from the day we leave the room service of the womb. While the baby crying negotiation technique is fairly rough and tumble, it is often very successful in persuading long suffering parents to give us what we want – now!!!

When navigating through day-to-day business operations, the last thing any small business needs is a dispute to disrupt and absorb funds from positive business activities and plans. One of the most effective methods of resolving a dispute quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively is mediation.