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For Email Newsletters you can trust About the Smartfast Blog
The pace of business keeps you on the run. You need to make (SMART) decisions and take action quickly (FAST). Business attorney Jean Sifleet created the SMART FAST® blog to help. Whether you’re a start up company or an established company, SMART FAST® provides information that can help you make more informed business decisions. This is information – not legal advice.
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Category Archives: Business Practices
10 TIPS for DEALING WITH EMPLOYEES EFFECTIVELY
There are only so many hours that you can work – so you need employees to help make the business successful. Key Learning – “Hire for attitude, train for skills.” It’s great to hire experienced people who can … Continue reading
Startup Learnings – Systems, Cash Flow & Recordkeeping
Growing your business requires handling more work. Systems are critical to handling the work and the people in a predictable and consistent manner. Just like sidewalks and highways make cities function better, systems are the infrastructure for business growth. Many … Continue reading
Startup Learnings — Leases, Bloody Leases
Leases are important legal documents and usually are very one-sided in favor of the Landlord. Landlord problems are the last thing you need when you are trying to get a business going. It’s a big distraction – and even though … Continue reading
Entrepreneurial Sabbatical — Dog Daycare & Pet Boutique
I have not been posting for the past six months because I have been on an “Entrepreneurial Sabbatical”. Over the years, my practice as a business attorney has grown and provided many great opportunities to help clients solve business problems. … Continue reading
Google Books – – What is “Fair Use” in the digital age?
Google Books (http://www.books.google.com) provides access to digitized copies of books. Google scans and indexes the books, making them searchable online. This greatly enhances access to information – from anywhere on the planet. Is this “copyright infringement” or “fair use” in … Continue reading
Posted in Business Practices, Copyright, Intellectual Property, Legal, Uncategorized
Tagged Copyright, Intellectual Property
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Sweat Equity
In the start up of a business, it’s common for some people to contribute money and others to contribute time and effort with “an understanding” that they will share in the future success of the business. Sometimes “equity earn-ins” are … Continue reading
Social Media – Goals & Guidelines for Business and Personal Use
Social Media (blogs, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc) are used by individuals and companies – and really blur the lines between what’s business and what’s personal. In the workplace, employers set the standards for conduct and acceptable speech. Outside the workplace, … Continue reading
Have you read — “The 12 Secrets of Highly Successful Women”?
In her new book, Gail McMeekin has pulled together some really practical advice — – into 12 essential steps. The book is inspiring – with the stories and experience of thirty successful women — and the patterns reinforced with her thirty years … Continue reading
Posted in Business Practices, Innovation, Legal, Uncategorized
Tagged Collaboration, Creativity, Entrepreneur, Intellectual Property
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Checklists – Think checklists are boring? Think again.
Or better yet, read The Checklist Manifesto by Boston surgeon Atul Gawande. It’s a great read! With compelling stories and diverse examples (from a broad range of occupations including surgical teams, airline pilots, complex construction projects with many subcontractors, restaurants … Continue reading
Posted in Business Practices, Uncategorized
Tagged checklist, Collaboration, Employees, Intellectual Property
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Convert “Pirates into Partners”
At a conference on Innovations in Learning, sponsored by Brandon Hall Research (See: www.brandon-hall.com), I learned about how new technologies are being used to create “communities” that engage users – and help to improve products and services and build businesses. … Continue reading
Posted in Business Practices, Business Systems, contracts, Copyright, Innovation, Intellectual Property, Legal, Social Media, The Cloud, Uncategorized, Web-based services
Tagged Amazon, Collaboration, Copyright, eBay, Fair Use, Harry Potter, Intellectual Property, Partners, Pirates, Star Wars
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