Successful conflict resolution: strategies and assistance for SMEs

In cooperation with the Bundesverband Mediation in Wirtschaft und Arbeitswelt e.V.

Conflict management takes time, effort and emotion.
Conflicts can disrupt day-to-day business and cooperation within the company.
Conflicts can be unpleasant and ignoring them is the easiest way.

In today's rapidly changing world, turbulent times are omnipresent for companies. Conflicts within and between companies and with institutions often lead to frustration and uncertainty. These negative influences significantly affect the performance of the workforce, which can also lead to resignations.

The resulting employee turnover causes immense costs, running into billions, and considerably reduces Germany's economic strength.

In response to this development, the Hannover Region Employment Promotion Agency is offering a new service - a series of workshops on conflict resolution for SMEs. The service is offered in cooperation with the Federal Association for Mediation in Business and the World of Work ( BMWA ).

In this offer, HR managers at regional companies are trained in their conflict resolution skills, strengthened for conflict resolution in their own company and sensitized to working with mediators. If necessary, they can be referred to a pool of certified mediators who are members of the BMWA, among others.

Is external support for conflict resolution a failure at management level? No!
Do conflicts always have to be resolved independently? Not always!

Conflicts can quickly arise in the work context. Addressing these and resolving them together - whether independently or with support - promotes a stable corporate culture and has a positive effect on employer attractiveness.

Conflicts must be resolved constructively so that employees can concentrate on their work and work processes can run smoothly. In times of high demand for skilled workers, increasing employee performance and a positive working atmosphere are essential. This can be achieved through joint conflict resolution, among other things.

The workshop series "Successful conflict resolution: strategies and support for SMEs" is divided into four modules that build on each other thematically. Each session comprises a fixed group of max. 12 participants and lasts 4 hours per session.

All modules are conducted by experienced mediators.

Participation is free of charge.

The appointments always take place from 9.30 am to 1.30 pm:

Monday, March 3, 2025
Monday, March 10, 2025
Monday, March 17, 2025
Monday, March 31, 2025

Venue of the event: Haus der Wirtschaftsförderung, Vahrenwalder Str.7 in 30165 Hannover (Room 313)

Module 1: Conflict development and handling: added value for companies

Definition and emergence of conflicts (including feelings, needs and motives)
Internal costs and their effects (e.g. relief, safety, image)
Conflict costs
Conflict management as a task for managers and internal managers

2nd module: Conflict communication in the company

Conflict patterns and styles
Dynamics and escalation of conflicts
Forms of communication and conducting discussions in conflicts

3rd module: Dealing with conflicts and mediation as part of employer attractiveness

The basics of mediation
Role and tasks of HR managers in conflict management
Reflection on your own conflict behavior
Cooperation with external mediators

4th module: Internal conflict management

Conflict management and mediation as part of the organizational structure and culture
Steps and processes of conflict management (e.g. what is allowed and what is not?)
Structure and procedure of conflict discussions and conflict prevention
What support is available from associations and chambers?

The topics are conveyed in a practice-oriented manner and put into practice.

Binding registration here

Our target group: HR managers in SMEs in the Hanover region (cross-industry), max. 2 people per company.
Our offer: A permanent service on the topic of "conflict competence" and a network of certified mediators.
Our claim: Providing a "toolbox" for seeing, addressing and resolving conflicts, enabling people to reflect on their own attitude, raising awareness and adding value to the topic of mediation.
Our focus: To train your own conflict skills and (preventively) raise awareness of conflicts.

Important: Neither the sale of services by mediators nor conflict resolution with employees within the workshop series can be offered as part of the service.

The aim of the association is to establish mediation as an alternative to legal disputes in companies, organizations and administrations. Internal conflict resolution and conflict prevention are also part of the services offered by the members of the BMWA. The members of the BMWA mainly come from legal, psychological, social and economic professions and are specialists in conflict resolution, especially in economic and organizational contexts. Find out more about the association here .