It is common for businesses, especially those just starting out, to hire consultants on  a part-time basis, to provide a range of needed services.  If properly done, these consultants will be treated as independent contractors, and not employees, thus saving the employer from a host of legal obligations that would otherwise arise if one...

   We all get inundated with paper work, both at the office and at home.  It seems that everywhere we turn we are being asked to sign contracts for things like telephone systems, office equipment, marketing and advertising services, computer services and office space.  The business owner, busy with running the company, is bombarded...

 

It is essential that business owners have employees sign non-disclosure and non-compete agreements, in order to protect their intellectual and proprietary information from competitors and others.  The best time to have employees enter into these agreements is when the employee is first hired.

A typical non-disclosure agreement is one where the employee agrees not to...

It is certainly troubling, especially in a sluggish economy, when customers fail to pay their bills in a timely fashion or at all.  It is perhaps even more irksome when you experience a payment problem after you have exerted your best efforts to render valuable services or deliver high-quality goods.  Of course, there can...

   Slow business cycles provide a unique opportunity for companies to evaluate important and often overlooked aspects of their operation. In short, this “down” time offers business owners and executives a chance to get their affairs in order.

   Employment policies, such as vacation and leave policies, whether or not contained in a...

   It is extremely important, from time to time, to take a break from the rapid pace of business and devote some attention to the future and your long-term goals.  Whether you are at a stage in life where you are just beginning to grow your business, or you are at a point where...

 

While many businesses were, in the past, run on handshakes with customers and suppliers, it is essential today that that these agreements be put to writing.  Certainly, not everything needs to be set forth in a detailed writing.  Very simple, even handwritten agreements, can be used for many day-to-day items.  For instance, a purchase...

Business owners often believe that the commercial lease is standard and that the services of an attorney are not necessary.  While commercial leases are usually in a somewhat standard form, there are many important items that deserve special attention and can be negotiated. For example, it is important to obtain from a landlord the...

Many business owners and managers feel comfortable negotiating the general terms of computer agreements. Often, the purchase or rental of computer equipment or software seems like any other acquisition of office equipment.  The stakes, however, are dramatically higher when computers are involved.  

Whether you are leasing or purchasing the software or hardware, having...

 

It is often a good idea for a business to develop an employee handbook, which sets forth the company's policies regarding vacation, sick leave, holidays, benefits, and the like.  The advantage of putting this type of information into one handbook, which is given to all employees, is that you are keeping...