The importance of written agreements.

Over time building business relationships you build trust. Friendships grow from some business relationships based on shared interests and mutual respect.  Joint business ventures can occur and because there is so much trust there you can easily over look paperwork-contracts are forgotten as your friendship means you feel confident that there is no need for such details. My view is never ever trust anyone with the inner workings of your business without an agreement which is written down and clearly defined and ideally drawn up or at least checked by a solicitor. This lays down the boundaries and if there is a fall out of some kind then the agreement is in place to protect everyone. When dealing with clients always have a simple terms and conditions agreement. Do this before doing ANY work at all. If you are working to a project fee or hourly rate put it in, what you are prepared to do and what you are not. Clear working boundaries for everyone is so important. It would be great if a handshake was all we needed to ensure that our trust is never broken sadly that isn't the case.