A Happy New Year to all Core News readers

“With the uncertainty that 2009 will bring to so many businesses, organisations and individuals, we are confident that Core’s well regarded mediation service will continue to provide a useful resource for many who seek speedy, cost-effective and constructive outcomes to difficult situations. The second half of 2008 saw a sharp growth in mediation use and we see that trend continuing at the start of 2009.

Our training courses continue to receive praise from an increasingly senior clientele, whether in commerce, government, sport, local authority, consultancy, the professions or elsewhere. The demand for skills to deal effectively with disputes, conflict and differences is likely to be greater as we face tougher times. Core’s team of gifted professionals offer an unparalleled service.”

John Sturrock, Core Chief Executive

Some New Year Conflict Resolutions

Try to prevent conflict arising in your place of work: listen to concerns, be watchful for signs of unhappiness, create time for frank discussions, provide the resources of someone independent to encourage openness and to enable people to talk

Train your team in conflict management skills – or just to be good communicators: the time invested will reap rewards as they nip issues in the bud before they escalate; improve your own skills by undertaking further training

If conflict arises (and it will), address it constructively: don’t try to sweep it under the carpet or hope that it will go away, arrange meetings to discuss it or bring in an independent person to act as a facilitator or mediator

Anticipate possible conflicts with staff, contractors, customers and suppliers: build in a conflict management protocol or a mediation clause or other non-adversarial mechanisms into contracts, grievance procedures and complaints processes

Be collaborative when engaging with new partners or in business alliances: check out the objectives, drivers, needs, fears, hopes, and values of the others; explore the various options, be sure that the relationships can endure when the going gets tough

Support initiatives to build problem-solving and conflict resolution capacity: there is much work to do within organisations and in the business and other communities generally to change the culture - your influence may make a real difference

Look for ways to nurture sustainable economic development: the world needs to find ways to preserve resources and to support the needs of so many people; this applies to conflict management as it does to other areas of human life

Try to model good communication and problem-solving attitudes and behaviours: this is not easy, we are all human, but even marginal changes in habit can have a big impact on others

Don’t be too hard on yourself – or others: we all make mistakes; often we assume things and are just wrong; often, despite our best efforts, we make the wrong call about something. As do others. Acknowledging this can be very powerful

Mediation and Conflict Management Training

25 February 2009 - 27 February 2009

12 March 2009 - 13 March 2009

2 April 2009 - 3 April 2009 (Optional Assessment Module)

The importance of having the capability to handle disputes and difficult situations effectively has never been greater. There are still places remaining in our next training course, led by our nationally-recognised coaches and mediators. Click here to read the full prospectus and here to register on line or contact laura.rutherford@core-solutions.com

Why undertake the Core training? Well, those who have recently completed the 2008 autumn course had these comments on their experience:

“Mediation has been an exciting and interesting voyage of discovery for me. Mediation training was different from any other training that I have received and went way beyond what I thought I would learn.”

“I found the mediation and conflict management skills training to be the most intensive and rewarding experience I have ever participated in.”

“Mediation and conflict management skills training has been a rich learning experience. “

“I was surprised to discover basic things I didn’t know about negotiation which has been part of my professional life for 20 years, such as the power of the first offer and the three moves in a normal negotiation.”

“I have learned I had skills I was unaware of and patient and optimistic tutors have given me a confidence in my abilities I did not previously possess.”

Our Core Seminar Series continues

Breakfast Seminar

Wednesday 11 February: 7.45am for 8am – 9.30am

Michael Leathes, Executive Director of the International Mediation Institute, based in The Hague, senior in-house counsel and former Head of Intellectual Property at BAT.

Michael was the inspiring keynote speaker at Core’s conference in 2004 and in the past two years has devoted himself full time to the field of mediation and conflict management on an international level.

From his vantage point with IMI, http://www.imimediation.org

Michael will offer reflections on current trends in dispute resolution around the world as mediation grows and engages the interest of multinational companies, governments and others.

Click here to register or contact laura.rutherford@core-solutions.com; this event is free but numbers are limited so please sign up soon.

Ken Cloke visit

There was universal praise for Ken’s sessions with us, in the Master Class, Core Conversation and the seminar with the SCDI. He made a deep impression on all of his audiences and left us all with much to think about.

“I have been left with an overwhelming feeling that I was part of something very special indeed! Ken is an amazing person – great teacher, educator, motivator – and passionate about Mediation and Conflict Resolution.”

“It is not often that I have the opportunity to meet in such a setting someone who clearly is a world-renowned leader in his field and who has set the bar very high. It gives fresh hope for all the conflict in the world. I am sure that I am not alone with this feeling.”

“What a brilliant couple of days in Edinburgh at the end of last week with Ken Cloke. How totally inspiring.”

“What an event. Just mind blowing stuff. Well done in enabling this to happen.”

Ken will be back with us next November. Much to look forward to!

Mediation in Family Matters

Core’s recent initiative in this field and the appointment of Morag Wise QC as a member of our mediator group (click here to see the full list) brought this response from the law firm Tods Murray:

“Edinburgh based Core Solutions Group has been the leading provider of mediation services in commercial disputes for some years. It has recently announced a move into the field of mediation in high value family cases, with the appointment of Morag Wise QC as one of its panel of mediators. Morag is recognised as one of the leading specialist advocates in family and matrimonial matters.

Lucy Metcalf, Senior Associate in our Family Law Team and an accredited Family Mediator comments: “This new service offered by Core is a welcome addition to the range of options which we are able to offer to our separating or divorcing clients. We always encourage our clients to explore all options in order to try to reach an amicable negotiated settlement. Mediation with Morag Wise is a new option and one which I would certainly recommend to my clients, particularly those whose financial affairs are complicated or whose assets are of high value.

“In my experience, mediation (which with Core is with both parties’ lawyers present) is a structured but less confrontational way for couples to resolve their disputes than the alternative of court proceedings. The benefits of mediation over litigation are many, not least the cost savings. As a lawyer-mediator I know that having a family lawyer as mediator gives the parties the opportunity to be informed, within the mediation process, of the legal rules that apply on separation and divorce. This is of benefit to both parties and means that all of the issues arising out of the relationship and its breakdown can be addressed at mediation.

I think that having a mediator of Morag’s calibre, together with the high quality professional service offered by Core provides a fantastic opportunity for our clients to settle their differences in a sensible, constructive way which is efficient in terms of time and cost. I am delighted that we are now able to offer this service to our matrimonial clients.”

Report of Business Experts and Law Forum

In the last Core News (click here) we featured this important report presented to the Scottish Government.

Click here for a fascinating (outsider’s) view on the report: http://www.mediate.com/articles/%C3%81lvaroG1.cfm?nl=191

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