Contracts for WHAT?
I don’t want to suggest that you need to bind all your relationship with a contract, but if you like the people you are going to do business with you should have something in place to ensure there is an understanding. As my friend Lara Veltkamp of Watershed Marketing would say, “Contracts are not to control what to do in business together, they are to control what to do when you finished wanting to be in business together” (paraphrased).
You are going to write a contract or agreement to help you set boundaries for your relationship, to answer questions about what you can expect from each other and to define how to get out of the relationship if you need to. I think there should always be a way to get out of a contract. You want to decide what the costs are to get out of a contract before you go into business or work with each other, especially if you are friends. Set these boundaries when the emotions are low and positive.
Here are some places you should have a contract or letter of agreement for:
- Partnership
- Joint Venture
- Client agreement
- Suppliers
- Contractors
There are many, many more. Say to yourself, “if things go bad will we know who is going to pay for what?” If you cannot answer this clearly and easily then you need to get something settled first. Have an expert, like a lawyer, help you with the documents you need.
This is not a legal document, nor is it legal advice, but from my experience and from what I have had to experience through my clients, it is sound. Don’t leave the guess work to a time when no one will want to spend time together.
5 Comments
Great article Barb. So often we entrepreneurs rely on word and integrity. But it’s so easy to miscommunicate. The greater integrity is to write it down.
Thanks Teresa.
Contracts also demonstrate professionalism and true dedication to your business. You won’t lose a real friend over a contract but you might lose one over a bad business relationship you did not set boundaries around.
Thanks for sharing a nice article ! Would love to know how this page can help to a Clothing Supplier to get Retailer for their products!
Hi Mithu:
The contract will not help you get a retailer or supplier or client, it is what you put in place right before you start working together. To build that relationship here are some past posts that might help you.
http://blitzbusinesssuccess.com/staging/index.php/2010/08/5-ways-to-use-your-marketing-plan-to-define-your-business-communications/
http://blitzbusinesssuccess.com/staging/index.php/2011/05/how-to-know-if-a-networking-group-is-working-for-you-another-20-60-20-rule/
http://blitzbusinesssuccess.com/staging/index.php/2011/09/what-value-does-your-client-perceive/
Or check out my past e-zine articles at http://www.blitzbigthinker.com/blitz-big-thinker-blog/
Remember – your contract or agreement is to define ‘how’ you will work together – not ‘if’ you will work together.
If these links don’t answer your question then please feel free to keep the conversation going.