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Legal question for consultants

by JoeVlcek
6 replies
I own a firm and we develop solutions for websites to increase their sales. This is mainly done through a/b testing and conversion rate optimization. In 2014 we developed an amazing solution that is just ridiculously successful on every retailer we tried it on.

The issue is we are taking this solution to potential clients. These are large companies and they have heard it all before. They want to see what the actual solution is, but if we show them then they can just implement it themselves and say something like "we were planning on that". It is so simple that their developers can set it up in a couple weeks. But, this is our simple idea. This is what we do. We develop simple ideas that generate a lot of revenue for our clients.

Is there a general contract that can protect us so we can show companies exactly how our solution works without them using it unless they pay us our full fee? I prefer to find/buy a pre made agreement and modify it. We are just not sure what to look for.
#consultants #legal #question
  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    If these are large businesses, they are accustomed to legal contracts. You need to talk to a lawyer to find a way to promote your business while protecting it.

    Seems to me the trick is to find a way to show the start and ending results without revealing the full process of what you do. You need real legal advice - not forum opinions.
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    • Profile picture of the author JoeVlcek
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      If these are large businesses, they are accustomed to legal contracts. You need to talk to a lawyer to find a way to promote your business while protecting it.

      Seems to me the trick is to find a way to show the start and ending results with revealing the full process of what you do. You need real legal advice - not forum opinions.
      Of course, but we don't work with a lawyer on a regular basis who we trust. So, I want to see what works best for those who are in my position, get some examples online, modify those, then take it to a lawyer.
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  • Profile picture of the author kindsvater
    It's called a Non-Disclosure Agreement, or NDA.

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    • Profile picture of the author onSubie
      Originally Posted by kindsvater View Post

      It's called a Non-Disclosure Agreement, or NDA.
      Because not only do you want them to not steal your ideas for themselves, you don't want them to share your ideas with their partners and associates who have not retained your services.
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      • Profile picture of the author JoeVlcek
        Originally Posted by onSubie View Post

        Because not only do you want them to not steal your ideas for themselves, you don't want them to share your ideas with their partners and associates who have not retained your services.
        Thanks for the tips
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        • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
          If the simple presence of a legal document were enough to ensure compliance, there wouldn't be a three year lag in civil courts.

          So unless you are both willing and able to take the steps necessary to enforce any legal agreement, it may not be worth the paper it's printed on.

          Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

          Seems to me the trick is to find a way to show the start and ending results with revealing the full process of what you do. You need real legal advice - not forum opinions.
          This is the best idea.

          Can you split off some piece of your process and use it to demonstrate or sample your capabilities, while keeping most of your process "black box" so they have to hire you?

          Even beyond the idea of stealing your process, if you do demonstrate your full capability, you may find prospects telling themselves that your initial efforts are good enough, and they have no need to retain you on an ongoing basis.
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