Consumers want value and quality, but they also care about ethics and may choose not to patronize companies with a poor reputation. A tarnished reputation can also impact relationships with suppliers and other business associates.
Unfortunately, disputes may arise no matter what steps you take to avoid them. However, addressing them through alternative dispute resolution (ADR) may help to safeguard your reputation. Let’s look at a few reasons why.
It will not be available to the public
Most lawsuits are public information, meaning anyone could investigate your company and view its legal history. Since ADR is generally private, you have more control over who knows about the dispute and its outcome. That can help ensure that only the involved parties are aware of what happened.
It may provide a faster resolution than litigation
Civil lawsuits can drag on indefinitely, possibly keeping your company under a harsh public spotlight for months or years. ADR methods such as mediation and arbitration may empower you to resolve the problem faster than litigation. It may even be possible to resolve the matter before anyone else learns about the dispute.
It may prevent tell-tale disruptions
A lawsuit could disrupt your operations, whether it keeps you away from work or diverts your attention from critical matters. Changes in your operations could cause others to suspect a problem.
Since alternative methods typically take less time and attract less scrutiny than litigation, choosing ADR can prevent such disruptions.
If you are embroiled in a potential legal dispute, consider learning more about alternative dispute resolution for business disagreements in Florida. A licensed third-party neutral can help you understand how to use ADR to shield your business from further harm.