When you do business, eventually, you may – almost certainly – have a dispute. Disputes can happen between business partners, competitors, customers or employees. Disputes, very basically, are when your interests and another party diverge.
“Diverging interests” is an understatement when considering how devastating the outcome can be. Recognizing the signs that you’re heading toward a dispute can go a long way to saving you difficulty in the future. Here are some things to look for in various disputes you may face.
Signs of an oncoming fight with a partner
There are many signs and worst-case scenarios for disputes with your business partners. These can include missed meetings, low-to-no communication and frequent arguments. Noticing a business partner is “pulling away” is sometimes a sign that they’re busy. But it can also mean they’re ready to break up the company.
What competitor disputes may look like
In a certain sense, businesses in competition are always in dispute. However, if the competition moves from competitive pricing and marketing campaigns to outright market manipulation, you have a significant problem. There is a fine line between competition and an actionable unfair business practices dispute, but it is there, and you must recognize when it is approaching.
Coming fights with employees
Your labor force is one of the most important assets you have. A productive workforce is essential to your success. However, employee-employer disputes can come out of nowhere, but yet there are usually signs. Internal complaints are the first and most frequent sign, but attentive managers can see signs of unrest early – even if they do not know the exact issue.
Early recognition can help you get skilled representation
When you see the problem coming, you have time to resolve it. Resolving an issue before it becomes a dispute may require the help of a skilled attorney and you should reach out to an experienced professional as soon as possible.