Member Blog Posts in "Legal"

Why you should think long and hard before you include a mandatory binding arbitration provision in your next contract

posted on January 23, 2012

Imagine this, several years ago you entered into a contract with a manufacturer to distribute their product.  Under the agreement you sell their product in an exclusive territory.  Fast forward to today.  The economy is difficult and sales are down.  The manufacturer comes to you and tells you that, despite the slow economy, you are required to purchase far more product from them then you can ever hope to sell – to the tune of $2 million.  They claim that the agreement provides for purchase minimums that must be met and any failure to do so would constitute a breach Read more »

Author: David Valenti

Traditional Pbx vs. Hosted Virtual Pbx

posted on September 30, 2010

Typically, most companies small or big use a phones system called Pbx or "Private Branch Exchange" which must be purchased, located and managed at your office.  The expense of a standard system (Pbx) for an small office is typically two to ten thousand dollars given the extent of the features and number of lines needed. (why? Read more »

Author: Chris Bombela

It is WRONG to Charge Large People More for Health Insurance

posted on August 31, 2010

I was in line at the grocery store today when I noticed the woman behind me eyeing my enchiladas.  Always one to make conversation I said “They are actually really good for frozen food, no preservatives or weird chemicals, and they’re tasty.”She sighed, in what I would call “longing”, and said – “I can’t, I’m on Atkins”.  She paused,  smiled wryly and said “sixth time’s the charm…”. Read more »

Author: Ragen Chastain

Due Diligence

posted on August 30, 2010

As a business strategy consultant, I have seen many organizations violate the trust of their employees by not having documented procedures.  It isn’t enough to tell someone your expectations.  You must document them for permanent record, for training, and for communication.  It doesn’t matter if you have one employee or thousands; each employee expects and deserves to have an environment safe from injustice. Read more »

Author: Penny Crow

Commercial - I can do that. Really?

posted on August 11, 2010

Many real estate professionals like to be the Jack (or Jill) of All Trades, but Masters of None.  I'm talking specifically about agents and brokers marketing themselves with multiple "specialties," which is ironic.  To specialize is not to just dabble, but to be proficient at it.  Yes, we can have multiple service offerings but are we really doing our clients a disservice by proclaiming several specialties?  In Texas, there are only two licenses - Salesperson and Broker.  Once a license is earned, there are no sub-licenses for commercial, re Read more »

Author: Rodney Schwalbach

Still Time to Sign up for Taking It to the Next Level

posted on November 4, 2009

Taking It to the Next Level is this Friday, November 6! There is still time to sign up at takingnextlevel.weebly.com/. This seminar is an excellent value and I encourage all small business owners looking to grow (who isn't?) to attend! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Author: Abigail Mahnke

Getting Rid of Bad Debt

posted on October 26, 2009

Have you ever been in a situation of paying for years on credit card debt where the balance is relatively low but the debt never goes away? It’s designed that way by the credit card companies. It’s designed to keep you in debt for a lifetime through high interest, escalating interest, late fees, over the limit fees and some have fees on top of this. It’s called DPR (daily percentage rate) in addition to the APR. DPR is used by hard money lenders or predatory lenders.   I was personally a victim the credit pull back in 2008. Read more »

Author: Margie Larioza