Does Your Small Business Need a Social Media Policy?
According to 2018 data, 77% of U.S. small businesses use social media for their sales, marketing, and customer service. If you plan to use social media to promote your business, a social media policy is essential to protect your business’s reputation and avoid litigation by preventing the dissemination of inaccurate, unflattering, or illegal information. Here […]
Legally Terminating Employees
Most small business owners will occasionally have to face the unpleasant task of firing an employee. Small businesses, in particular, rely heavily on each employee. An underperforming employee may not only lower the morale of other employees who have to pick up the slack, but may also jeopardize the success of the business. When an […]
Business Insurance: Protecting Your Business From the Unexpected
As a small business owner, you have invested large amounts of time and money to make your business a success. Business insurance protects this investment in the event of unexpected damage to property or lawsuits, which could otherwise be devastating to your business. Always expect the unexpected. There are many types of insurance available depending […]
Ban the Box: What Employers Need to Know
Thirty-three states and 150 municipalities and counties have enacted “Ban the Box” laws precluding employers from including questions about criminal history on employment applications. In many of these states, Ban the Box statutes apply only to public employers, but 13 states and 18 municipalities and counties have applied them to most or all private employers […]
5 Key Benefits of a Well-Written Job Description
Although the main purpose of a job description is to explain the roles of a job, it actually serves a much bigger purpose. In fact, a job description can improve a company’s ability to manage employees in many ways. A well-written job description will do the following: 1. Clarify expectations. Employers need to spell out […]
Strategies for Protecting Your Business’s Intellectual Property
Before launching a business, entrepreneurs spend a substantial amount of time and money researching and developing their products or services and what makes them unique. You may have worked with graphic designers and a marketing team to create a brand name and logo for your products or services. As the business grows and your products […]
What You Need to Know About Severance Packages
Business owners everywhere can agree that people are the lifeline of a company. The people you hire can make or break your business. Yet as an employer, it is essential to recognize that things are continuously changing. This being said, there are instances when you may have to terminate an employee. Developing a severance package […]
Dealing With Negative Online Reviews of Your Business
We know you’ve worked hard to build your small business legacy. Nothing is more frustrating than negative online reviews, particularly if you feel they are unjustified or have been posted in bad faith. There are several steps that you can take to prevent your business’s reputation from being damaged by unfavorable reviews or trade libel. […]
Things You Should Consider for Your Non-Compete Agreement
Companies grow by investing time and money in various resources, including their employees. Yet business owners are often anxious about losing their investment. Once confidential information is shared, there is a risk that an employee will leak the company’s secrets to a competitor, or quit and create a competing business using the confidential information. To […]
What Exactly Is a Business Succession Plan?
If you own a small business, developing your succession plan is a critical element of business planning. Busy with the day-to-day management of their companies, many business owners neglect this essential element of business planning to their detriment. Transitions in business are prompted by retirement, sudden illness, incapacity, death, or other major life events. Failure […]
How to Use Customer Testimonials Legally
Word of mouth marketing is still one of the most common and consistent forms of marketing for businesses. Where do you find a good stylist? Who can recommend a good Italian restaurant? Who is the best business attorney in town? Sometimes these answers are found by asking family, friends, and neighbors, but many people find […]
DIY Contracts: The Do’s, the Don’ts, and the Dangers
Contracts are an essential component of effective business management and development. Savvy business owners recognize the value of contracts but often explore ways to reduce the cost of obtaining them. In some instances, business owners attempt to create their own contracts by using templates available online. However, creating your own contract is fraught with many […]
The Employee Handbook: A Must-Have for Any Business
Employee handbooks address the who, what, where, why, and how of your business operations. Your employee handbook will protect you and your business by setting appropriate expectations, and providing consistency for your employees when situations arise. An employee handbook is something you should have at the start of your business journey and should be regularly […]
Legal Issues You Should Consider Before Selling Your Product Online
Are you considering expanding your physical business or starting a home-based business? Selling your products online is a great way to reach a larger customer base. That being said, before you begin to sell products online, there are several legal issues you should be aware of to ensure your business is right with the law […]
What You Need to Know About Hiring Virtual Workers for Your Small Business
As a small business owner, you may be considering using virtual workers to expand your workforce. A virtual worker is an employee who uses technology to complete their duties outside of the traditional workplace setting. Many businesses today find this workforce model quite attractive for several obvious reasons. For one, having a virtual business work […]
Does Your Website Need a Privacy Policy or Terms & Conditions?
Does Your Website Need a Privacy Policy or Terms & Conditions? Conversations about data privacy policies and website terms and conditions have become more common in recent months. Bigger companies like Facebook, Expedia, and Dick’s Sporting Goods have been involved in legal action regarding different privacy issues. The questions on most business owners’ minds are […]
Summer is Here and the Sun is Shining: Should Your Small Business Have a Vacation Policy?
Although there is no legal requirement for businesses to offer paid or unpaid vacation time to employees, it is common knowledge and good practice for employees to occasionally take time off in order to return to work more productive and engaged. If you decide to offer vacation time to your employees, a well written vacation […]
Should I Use a Confidentiality Agreement?
No matter what industry you are in, there are several threats and weaknesses that a business is vulnerable to despite its strengths and opportunities. Businesses become even more vulnerable to competitors, unpredictable working relationships, and challenges when they are not optimizing the use of Confidentiality Agreements. There is a reason that business owners often find […]
