Those new to the business world often lack the first-hand experience of initiating and building healthy business relationships. But protecting these vital relationships with carefully crafted business agreements—such as those for co-owners, suppliers and clients—is essential to growing a new business without risk of being taken advantage of or of burning valuable bridges. To decrease the risk of liability in your business relationships, here are three of the most common agreements that every business owner should have customized and ready to go.
Owner Agreements
No matter how your business is structured, you need comprehensive owner agreements if you have co-owners, founders, shareholders or partners. Mistakes get expensive if you don’t have solid agreements between the owners when something goes wrong. Agreements should outline the terms and conditions applicable if one owner wants to go his or her separate way. Putting everything in writing will allow you to focus your energy on growing your business instead of on arguing about who said what, when and who was going to do what on which time frame.
Worker Agreements
Team member agreements protect both parties – you and them. These include agreements for independent contractors (think web developers and graphic designers) to clarify the terms and conditions of the work, and who owns the work they are creating as well as employees. Hiring with complete agreements – in writing – will ensure you are both on the same page regarding employment status, performance expectations and job requirements. Although you should have agreements for both employees and independent contractors, make sure you clearly distinguish who is in what role. You could face tax and other penalties if you improperly classify a worker.
Customer and Vendor/Supplier Agreements
Your customers make your business possible, especially when you’re just starting out. Every sale is essentially a contract between your business and your customer, so make sure you are putting the proper legal protections in place. Terms of service and privacy policies will do some of this work for you, but make sure you consult with a lawyer to determine the specific clauses you need in your client/customer agreements to provide the most protection for the relationship long-term.
Your vendors and suppliers make your customer base possible. They help you meet demand and are instrumental to your business’s viability. Your vendor and supplier agreements should provide both parties with legal protections and make sure your needs are met by the relationship. Vendor and supplier relationships can make or break a new business’s success, so make sure you fortify them with clear, detailed agreements.
If you want to protect your business interests and limit your liabilities, start by sitting down with a Family Business Lawyer®. I am experienced in helping entrepreneurs achieve success through careful financial and legal planning. As your Family Business Lawyer®, I can establish a sound legal, insurance, financial and tax system for your business so you can focus on increasing revenue and enjoy the benefits entrepreneurship.
This article is a service of Katie Charleston, a Family Business Lawyer®. We offer a complete spectrum of legal services for businesses and can help you make the wisest choices on how to deal with your business throughout life and in the event of your death. We also offer a LIFT Start-Up Session
or a LIFT Audit for an ongoing business, which includes a review of all the legal, financial, and tax systems you need for your business. Call us today to schedule.
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