But in areas where there are lots of mediators, many of them offering similar services, it might make sense to differentiate yourself from your competitors through service specialization. For one thing you might assume that a specialist is better trained and experienced to handle the case. The point here is that our preconceptions about the relationships between cost, training, and experience may not always be valid, but they nonetheless influence our purchase decisions. I suggest that what is applicable to physicians is also applicable to mediators. Organizational structure Businesses are organized in a variety of ways, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations.
Corporations have a number of advantages, including a degree of legal protection.
Perhaps many mediators and other consultants opt for a non-corporate structure because of the size of the business and a desire to keep the operation as simple as possible. These are certainly legitimate considerations. And comparing the cost of liability insurance between physicians and mediators at the present time, one could certainly conclude that the risk of being sued is far less for mediators. But remember that suits can come from a variety of directions other than clients, including current and former employees, directors, advisors, vendors, and landlords. My personal preference is to keep my personal assets as far away from potential litigants as possible.