Read This Before You Sign That Contract

Interview Carol Barkes

Carol Barkes is a trend-setting mediator, business executive and educator specializing in the use of neuroscience to improve business performance, interpersonal communications, negotiation and conflict resolution processes for optimally successful results.

Talking Points From Carol Barkes On How to
Negotiate a Business Contract:

  1. Contracts are often standard, have been drafted with legal jargon by corporate attorneys, and are meant to work for the majority of circumstances. That being said, a contract does not always fit perfectly for every situation. If they don’t, they can often be modified when it makes sense.  The secret is to ask. If you don’t ask, the answer is always, “no.” Read contracts carefully to make sure the contents fit the circumstances. If not, start a conversation about the areas of concern. They can often be mitigated and are best addressed before anything goes wrong.

 

  1. Back to number #1—ask for what you want—always. Even if it is not a stated part of a package, ASK. There is quite a bit of competition for business, and statistics tell us a large percentage of people who ask receive what they are asking for.

 

  1. Ask for any ambiguity to be removed from contracts and/or clarified. Problems arise when there are words such as “reasonable” or “timely.” Define these specifically as in “no later than 3:00 p.m. on Friday, June 21, 2019.” Also, consider adding “what if” clauses into contracts in case something goes wrong.

  2. Take the time to really read what you are signing. Contracts typically favor the entity that had the contract drafted. Make sure the contract is fair and has the best interest of all parties taken into consideration.

 

Available for Interviews: Carol Barkes


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