It’s that time of year when people start dropping hints about what they’d like to see under the Christmas tree. It’s also time to think about what to give valued clients, bosses, and employees. Following are some ideas for business-related gifts that won’t just get re-gifted or end up in a closet. Some of them … Continued
In part 1 and part 2 of this three-part blog we talked about how arbitration clauses work and why they’re controversial. In this part, we’ll talk about some advantages and disadvantages of putting an arbitration clause in your own contracts. Using Arbitration Clauses in Your Own Contracts If you’re the one likely to get sued, … Continued
Two Must-Do’s To Protect Yourself from the Risks of Running a Home-Based Business The New York Times recently reported on the death of a guest at an Airbnb rental. When the man swung on a rope swing on a Thanksgiving morning, the tree trunk it was tied to broke and came down on his head … Continued
In part 1 of this three-part blog we talked about what arbitration clauses look like and how they work. In this part, we’ll talk about why they’re controversial. So what’s wrong with arbitration? On their face, arbitration clauses don’t seem so bad. What’s not to like about staying out of court? One problem – at … Continued
The New York Times recently ran a three-part series on how arbitration clauses in many contracts “stack the decks” against consumers. These clauses include language like the following from a contract used by American Express: You or we may elect to resolve any claim by individual arbitration. That doesn’t sound so awful – but those … Continued
A services agreement is just what it sounds like: an agreement to provide services. The type of services involved could be anything that a freelancer, startup, or small business might need or provide. For example: Software/app development Marketing/SEO services Janitorial services Catering for a launch party Computer and/or office equipment maintenance Development of a website Content … Continued
Legal fees can burn through a startup’s resources fast when firms bill at $500+ per hour. Fortunately, there are alternatives. Your startup can save money on legal services. Some lawyers are willing to defer their fees until a startup is more solidly established, and others may be willing to work for equity in the company. We’re … Continued
No startup is an island. To succeed you’re going to have to form relationships with lots of other people and businesses: co-founders, investors, employees, vendors, customers, etc. To reduce risk and uncertainty, many of those relationships should be formalized with contracts. Here’s a short guide to the types of contracts your startup needs during the … Continued
In the previous installment, we talked about how Sweet Street Desserts and Better Bakery worked together to create a pretzel sandwich, sharing information under an NDA. Unfortunately, the parties had a falling-out. Sweet Street claimed Better Bakery had a secret scheme to steal the design and product development qualities of Sweet Street’s pretzel sandwich. Better Bakery denied … Continued
