Podcast

Today I’m talking about what I think is a pretty sexy angle when it comes to contracts: money. Yes, the hard cash that can silently slip away if your business's terms and conditions are not watertight, or if they’re lacking altogether. Let's uncover how this happens and what you can do about it.

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When I start working with a new client, a question I frequently ask is: "What do you want to achieve in this next season of your business?" Nearly every time, the responses revolve around gaining more clients, revenue or growth. Yet, the tool that most powerfully supports this growth is often misunderstood—the legal documents.

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Keeping up with legal updates can be overwhelming and confusing. If you’re like most of my clients, you’ve probably felt unsure about where to source reliable information. With the huge amount of content floating around online, it’s easy to get lost in what's accurate and applicable to you. So, today I’m guiding you through some critical legal changes you need to be aware of as a service-based small business owner.

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Let’s talk about AI and business contracts. If you're like me, you're always on the lookout for tools that could streamline our work processes, save us time and of course, save us a bit of money. But when it comes to something as critical as business contracts, should we actually entrust this task to AI? Generative and anthropic AI are great at churning out content, but when the stakes are high and involve the legalities of business contracts, there's a lot to consider.

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It’s the 200th episode of the Rise Up in Business podcast and I want to celebrate by talking about one of my all-time favourite topics—contracts. 

They’re not just a legal requirement to get out of the way. When done right, they can be a powerful tool for navigating the stress and success of running your own business. 

So what’s the difference between an ineffective contract, and an excellent one? 

Well, the first thing to remember is that your contracts belong to you—yes, even if a lawyer drafts them. They're an extension of your business brand. It's so crucial to ensure they look and sound like your business. 

Imagine presenting a 42-page contract drafted in indecipherable jargon to your clients. Is that a good look? Absolutely not. 

Instead, we want to create contracts that are on-brand, understandable, and worthy of pride. This is your business’s voice, after all.

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Ready to leave behind the corporate grind and become your own boss? 

You’re not alone!

Over the last year, I've seen a big increase in clients seeking my guidance as they set up their own businesses. They come from various industries, each with unique skills and backgrounds, but they’re all asking the same question: "How do I successfully make this leap?"

I absolutely love answering this question and helping budding business owners feel confident and secure as they set out on their journey. Which is why today I’m breaking down what you need to consider from a legal perspective when moving from corporate to consultancy.

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Aligning with the right clients and parting ways where necessary is a positive indicator of growth—it's a necessary part of evolution. As our businesses grow, our service offerings and client profiles naturally transform. Recognising misaligned client relationships isn't a reflection of carrying out something incorrectly; it's merely an acknowledgment of normal progress.

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For years, I eyed LinkedIn from a distance, slightly overwhelmed and uncertain about how to start, until the end of last year when I decided it was time for a change. And today, who better to help guide us in navigating these sometimes murky waters than Amy Smith, an online business coach for service-based business owners and someone whose insights I hold in high regard.

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As we step into the new year brimming with potential and opportunity, I find myself reflecting deeply on the lessons that have shaped my journey. I hope your festive season was everything you wished for, filled with joy, relaxation, and precious moments with loved ones. As we transition back into the hustle and bustle of business, I want to share a revelation that has been pivotal for me—a lesson that even after nearly six years in my current business and over a decade earlier in litigation, I continually revisit. It’s a lesson in boundaries and the complex dynamics between business and friendship.

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As we near the end of another year, it's a time filled with joy and festivities that naturally lend themselves to reflection and renewal. I've managed to create a smooth transition into this season, and while it hasn't always been seamless, I've learned to cherish this time as an opportunity to reset and prepare for the year ahead. Today, I’m sharing with you my process for doing just that. 

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The end of the year is a time of celebration and joy, but as a business owner, it's important to remember that your legal responsibilities don't take a holiday. One aspect that requires careful consideration is the end of year Christmas party. In today’s episode, I'll provide you with some tips and tricks to ensure a safe and enjoyable event for everyone involved.

The most important thing to remember is that your Christmas party is still a work event. This means that you have legal responsibilities towards your employees, even if they are not being paid for attending the party, and it's essential to be mindful of this fact throughout the planning and execution of the event.

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What separates a flourishing business from a floundering one? It’s the often-overlooked systems and processes that run in the background. 

This week I sat down with Beth Bieske, from More Time To Design, to share how you can design processes that don’t just support your business, but elevate it to the next level. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the amount of tasks your juggling, this is the episode you can't afford to miss.

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As we approach the end of another bustling year, I find myself reflecting on the ever-persistent drive we all feel to finish the year on a high note - that need to grind, achieve and finally collapse into the festive season. It’s a cycle we’re all too familiar with, yet one that Emma McQueen, my brilliant friend and business coach, and I are determined to disrupt. We chat about how we can aim to glide instead of grind as the year wraps up.

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We all know cashflow is the cornerstone for every small business. So having processes in place to reduce your risk when it comes to setting your business up for success and getting your invoices paid is more important than ever. Let me share with you three tried and tested strategies that will protect your creative business and ensure you’re getting paid on time, every time.

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So, you want to work with a business lawyer. Or at least, you think it’s something you should do. Where in the world do you start? There are so many different areas to consider when running a business, it’s understandable business owners hesitate to invest their time and money into their legals. In my opinion, getting your legal documents in order and tailored specifically for your business is non-negotiable - and should be done with a professional. So, let’s explore why you should work with a business lawyer and where to begin when you decide to take the leap.

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Do you really need website terms and conditions? 

You might have been told that these are just a “nice to have” or something you can copy from a template, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. If you have a website, which I’m guessing you do, Website Ts & Cs are non-negotiable for protecting your online space. 

They're more than just text at the bottom of your page; they're your shield as part of your core legal documents.

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Engaging independent contractors can be a fabulous way to help you serve your clients, offering flexibility and specific expertise to meet the unique needs of your business. But are you certain your contractors are truly that? Or could they be deemed as employees under the law? It's a tricky distinction with significant legal and financial implications and this is a topic that has increasingly come into the spotlight in recent years. Just because an arrangement is labelled one way doesn't necessarily mean it holds legally.

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For so many business owners, there's a lot of fear and uncertainty around the new Right to Disconnect rules on contacting their employees and the expectations around when employees should respond. But what if we could transform what seems like yet another layer of complexity into a unique opportunity for growth?

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As a business coach, every conversation with a client is an opportunity to inspire, guide and transform their professional journey.  But amidst the excitement of promising transformative results, there's a critical conversation that often gets sidelined—what promises can you genuinely make, and more importantly, which ones are you legally bound to keep?

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Have you ever made a business decision that went against your usual process, simply because you were trying to be nice? As women especially, we often feel pressure to please others and not come across as too rigid, but unfortunately, that often means that we as business owners pay the price. 

I recently faced a situation in my business just like this. I knew something needed to change in my processes to prevent it from happening again - but I couldn’t see the forest for the trees. The irony isn’t lost on me that I found myself struggling with the very thing I often preach to my clients about! However, I reached out to my friend Kate Addamo, an exceptionally talented business mentor, and her insights were invaluable.

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