In a course co-production partnership, disagreements and conflicts can arise due to miscommunication, differences in expectations, financial disputes, or changing responsibilities. Handling these issues effectively is crucial to maintaining a productive and profitable partnership.
This article will guide you through best practices for managing disputes and resolving conflicts in course co-production, ensuring a fair and professional collaboration.
1. Why Disputes Happen in Course Co-Production
Even well-planned partnerships can experience conflicts due to:
📌 Unclear Roles & Responsibilities – If tasks aren’t clearly assigned, confusion leads to frustration.
📌 Profit Split Disputes – Disagreements over revenue sharing, payment delays, or expenses.
📌 Creative Differences – Conflicting visions for course structure, branding, or pricing.
📌 Marketing & Sales Strategy Disputes – Different opinions on advertising, pricing models, or promotional tactics.
📌 Lack of Communication – Poor updates or unresponsiveness from one partner.
📌 Failure to Meet Expectations – One partner feels the other isn’t contributing equally.
💡 Pro Tip: Setting clear expectations and written agreements before starting helps prevent many disputes.
2. Preventing Conflicts Before They Start
The best way to handle conflicts is to prevent them from happening in the first place.
Key Strategies for Avoiding Disputes:
✅ Have a Clear Course Co-Production Agreement – Define ownership, responsibilities, and profit sharing upfront.
✅ Set Communication Guidelines – Schedule weekly check-ins to keep both partners aligned.
✅ Use Project Management Tools – Track progress using Trello, Asana, or ClickUp.
✅ Establish Decision-Making Processes – Decide in advance who has the final say on creative and financial matters.
✅ Document Everything – Keep a written record of agreements, emails, and discussions.
💡 Pro Tip: Treat the partnership like a business relationship, not just a handshake deal.
3. How to Address a Dispute Professionally
If a disagreement arises, handling it calmly and professionally prevents unnecessary escalation.
Steps to Resolve a Conflict Effectively:
Step 1: Identify the Core Issue
📌 Clarify what the problem is – Is it financial, creative, or related to workload?
📌 Separate facts from emotions – Focus on business impacts, not personal frustrations.
Step 2: Discuss the Issue Privately & Professionally
📌 Schedule a private meeting via Zoom, Slack, or in person to talk openly.
📌 Use “I” statements instead of blame (e.g., “I feel that my contributions aren’t reflected fairly” instead of “You’re taking too much profit”).
Step 3: Propose Solutions Instead of Complaints
📌 Offer compromises – Adjust responsibilities, payment terms, or deadlines if needed.
📌 Seek a win-win solution that benefits both partners.
Step 4: Use a Mediator if Needed
📌 If direct talks fail, involve a neutral third party (mentor, business coach, or legal advisor).
📌 Mediation helps resolve complex financial or legal disputes fairly.
💡 Pro Tip: Focus on resolving the issue, not winning the argument.
4. Handling Common Course Co-Production Conflicts
Conflict 1: Disagreements Over Revenue Splits
📌 Solution: Revisit the contract and compare actual contributions. Adjust percentages based on effort and investment.
Conflict 2: One Partner Isn’t Contributing Enough
📌 Solution: Set clear performance expectations and deadlines. Define consequences for non-performance in the contract.
Conflict 3: Disputes Over Marketing and Pricing
📌 Solution: Use A/B testing to test different strategies and let data determine the best approach.
Conflict 4: Creative Differences in Course Content
📌 Solution: Agree on student-focused decisions – choose what adds the most value to learners.
Conflict 5: Missed Deadlines & Unresponsiveness
📌 Solution: Implement weekly progress updates and set clear deadlines with accountability measures.
💡 Pro Tip: Keeping discussions focused on business goals prevents conflicts from becoming personal.
5. When to Consider Ending a Course Co-Production Partnership
If repeated conflicts arise or trust is broken, it may be best to end the partnership professionally.
Signs It’s Time to End the Partnership:
🚩 Ongoing financial disagreements that can’t be resolved.
🚩 One partner consistently fails to meet deadlines or responsibilities.
🚩 Major ethical concerns (dishonesty, broken agreements, misuse of funds).
🚩 Constant creative disputes with no room for compromise.
How to Exit the Partnership Gracefully:
📌 Follow the terms outlined in the contract – Define how profits, content ownership, and ongoing sales will be handled.
📌 Remain professional – Keep discussions calm and respectful to avoid damaging reputations.
📌 Ensure a smooth transition – If one partner continues the course alone, clarify how payments and updates will be managed.
💡 Pro Tip: Ending a partnership professionally preserves business relationships and reputations.
Final Thoughts: Maintaining a Healthy Course Co-Production Partnership
Conflicts are natural in business partnerships, but handling them professionally, proactively, and fairly ensures a successful and long-lasting collaboration.
By setting clear agreements, communicating openly, and resolving disputes quickly, course co-producers can focus on scaling their business instead of dealing with conflicts.