'We can't afford this' - Why this week changed my mind about SME dispute resolution
David Liddle
TRANSFORMING WORK. CEO of The TCM Group | Culture architect. HR Most Influential Thinker 2024. Author. Speaker. Thinkers50. Founder of peopleandculture.com. President of People & Culture Association. Lifelong mediator.
What an energising week it's been! My team and I had an incredible time hosting our stand at The Business Show where I also hosted an exciting panel before we shot off to attend both the Culture Pioneers Award with HRZone and the Business Culture Awards & Business Culture Connected on Wednesday!
It was invigorating as always to be immersed in the conversations of the industry and meeting so many passionate SME leaders at The Business Show this week reinforced exactly why we do what we do. At our TCM stand and during our panel discussion, I heard story after story about the challenges you're facing: the time spent managing workplace disputes, the worry about getting employment law right, and the desire to build stronger workplace cultures whilst staying focused on growing your businesses.
These conversations couldn't have come at a more perfect time, as they coincided with the launch of our newest venture – one that's been specifically designed for the SME leaders I met this week.
Introducing UK Resolution
After 20+ years of helping organisations transform their approach to workplace relations, we've created something special for SMEs. UK Resolution is our response to every business owner who's told us they need support but thought services like ours were only for large corporates.
We've designed it to be the helping hand that small and medium-sized businesses need, especially with new employment laws putting employee rights and fair treatment in sharper focus. Our comprehensive support includes:
The current state of dispute resolution in the UK is, frankly, woeful – with an over-reliance on formal and legal processes that often damage relationships irreparably. At The Business Show, I heard from so many of you about how workplace disputes drain your energy and resources, pulling you away from what you do best – running and growing your businesses.
UK Resolution is our answer to this challenge. We're bringing the same expertise that has benefited our corporate clients like Burberry, TSB, and the BBC to SMEs in an accessible, practical format. Because every business, regardless of size, deserves access to expert support in building positive workplace cultures.
If you're one of the many business leaders I met this week, or if you're reading this and recognising similar challenges in your organisation, I'd love to continue our conversation about how UK Resolution can support your business.
?? Learn more about UK Resolution
An eye-opener on UK Resolution
In our next webinar on 27 November, we'll be diving into how even minor conflicts for small and medium-sized businesses can become major roadblocks. We'll go into detail about the services I shared above and how our expert conflict management services help protect and strengthen your team, creating a positive, productive workplace that drives your success forward.
I was genuinely moved by the response to my "How to Disagree Well" masterclass last week. The session drew an unprecedented number of attendees, and the chat was filled with stories that reminded me exactly why this work matters so much.
If you missed it, you can watch the full recording and read our recap article here .
What really struck me during the session was our discussion about the three dimensions of conflict - head, heart, and gut. While we're all trained to focus on rational, procedural approaches, some of our most effective resolutions happen informally, over what I like to call "a coffee and a muffin."
The success stories I shared from organisations like Aviva and Royal Mail (who achieved a 60% reduction in formal cases and ￡65 million in annual savings respectively) prove what I've long believed - there's always a "Zone of Possible Agreement" between human beings. We just need the right tools, mindset, and most importantly, the willingness to truly listen.
Words of the week from our customers!
We were thrilled to read these words this week on our National Certificate in Workplace Mediation . We have been running this since our formation in 2001 and trained several thousand mediators who are now using their mediation skills to resolve complex workplace issues. The certificate is a fully interactive, instructor-led OCN accredited mediation skills programme that enables participants to learn essential skills and principles for mediation, practice skills and demonstrate competency to be a workplace mediator.
Share your thoughts on People & Culture
On December 13th, the People & Culture Association (PCA) will host its annual members' meeting (free access). As a build up to its annual report, PCA is inviting all people professionals to take the P&C Practitioner's Questionnaire, a research study to better understand the current standing of the P&C function. It's quick and only takes 10-12 minutes to complete! Your thoughts are very welcome and deeply appreciated.
TCM Reading Corner
This book is a great resource for handling those tricky workplace conversations that keep you awake at night – you know the ones, where emotions run high and the stakes feel even higher. It breaks down exactly how to navigate these challenging moments with clarity and confidence.
What I particularly love about this book is that it's not just theory – it's packed with practical tools that you can use immediately in your business. Whether you're dealing with performance issues, conflict between team members, or those awkward conversations about salary and progression, the authors show you how to create safety in dialogue and achieve positive outcomes, even when opinions differ and emotions are strong. The techniques they share for spotting when conversations become crucial and staying in dialogue when others retreat into silence or aggression are genuinely game-changing. If you're looking to build a stronger workplace culture (and who isn't?), this book provides exactly the kind of practical wisdom that aligns perfectly with what we're trying to achieve with UK Resolution.
That's all for now! If you have any questions on the above, please feel free to reach out.
Have a great weekend,
David
Transforming workplaces through Mediation ??Conflict Coaching | Promoting positive, inclusive cultures ??Mental Health First Aider and Neurodivergent advocate ?? Complex Workplace Investigations ??HR support
2 天前This is awesome David, SME’s really struggle, and to have this service at their finger tips is amazing ??