Non-Partisan Facilitation

CMPartners has a proven track record in designing, advising, and acting as a neutral third-party facilitator in high stakes, multi-issue, multi-party transactions. Our assistance as facilitators can include:

  • Identifying stakeholders;
  • Convening parties for discussion;
  • Identifying challenges and strategies;
  • Facilitating joint brainstorming among parties;
  • Building common tools, approaches and processes among parties;
  • Designing and implementing conflict management processes and protocols.

Our facilitation work has ranged from helping individuals successfully manage the inheritance of a high-worth family business to helping a half-trillion dollar global supply chain move from three years of conflict to a productive and comfortable working relationship. We have facilitated outcomes that exceeded expectations in terms of both time and value of outcome for all parties.

Related Client Solutions

Healthcare Benefits

A union of low-wage employees received very different healthcare benefits from different companies in the same industry. CMPartners facilitated conversations among the union and lead companies in this industry exploring possible healthcare packages. The results of these actions were a set of bilateral agreements between various companies in the industry and the union, including the development of new health plans to increase access to health care.

Teaming

In this financial services company, a new leader took over a business unit in a very dynamic environment and believed that a fundamental change was needed in the way employees thought about the business and the way the business was managed. There were also relationship issues within his team. We facilitated a strategic planning retreat and a set of follow-up conversations in which team commitment to a new direction was built. This business unit is now viewed as "best in class" in its business.

Facilitating Organizational Reform

In collaboration with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and IRENE, CMPartners facilitated a workshop and dialogue process that resulted in a significant breakthrough in the army reform process following Burundi's 13-year civil war. After months of stalemate, the army commission members came together and spent five days rebuilding the relationships and communication skills necessary to finally come to a decision on three key issues of disagreement: the status of combatant; the harmonization of ranks between the former government army and the rebel movements; and the allocation of posts within the new army. The reformed army has significantly contributed to Burundi's peace and stability.