The other day, I wrote about how important it is to read the fine print when it comes to business contracts and agreements. While I was writing from the perspective of our begin consumers as well as home business owners, I realized that we need to make sure that our customers and clients understand what they are getting into when it comes to our businesses too. It may seem like that is “their problem”—but unless we want to trick someone or rope them into something, it is better for us if everyone is on the same page.
It has been my experience that things come back to haunt me if I do not make sure they are well discussed and clarified in the early stages of a business relationship. Any time a client doesn’t want to discuss particulars or is not paying attention to all the details of our contract and/or agreements, I prepare myself for trouble down the line. Inevitably, someone comes back and says “I didn’t know” or “You didn’t tell me” even if they have signed a contract and everything was spelled out in the proposal. I have learned it is important to make sure that everything is very clear and discussed in detail to make sure that there are no glitches or confusion in what is going to happen.
You may think that it is enough just to have things in writing and while this does help to protect you legally, I think it is important to make sure people really know what sort of products and services they will get, the time line or delivery date, and any other particulars that are pertaining. A clarifying discussion, going over the paperwork or contract, and reminders can be ways of making sure that confusion won’t emerge down the line.
Also: Fine Print Matters in Home Business Too