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Posted on 16 Oct 2008

Protecting Your Business

There are many ways in which a company needs to protect itself.

There is both physical and intellectual property.

In today's day and age, securing physical property is easy. Put a lock on your door and filing cabinets and most of your challenges are taken care of.

But how do you protect yourself from other variables?

First: Protect your client relationships.

Do you currently have contracts or agreements with your clients? You may ask yourself, why formalize my relationships with clients with a piece of paper? The answer is this; a written agreement with a client can only help your relationship. When you put into writing what you'll provide for your clients, the expected fees associated with your products and services, and what information the client has to supply to you in order for you to meet your promises you're strengthening your client relationship.

When your client knows what to expect from you, when to expect it and how much it will cost you eliminate room for miscommunication, unexpected fees and missed deadlines which are a few of the main reasons a consumer will terminate a professional relationship. make absolutely sure to have your attorney review your contracts and agreements to make absolutely sure they stand up in a court of law.

Second: Reduce your potential liabilities.

Do you currently have first rate liability insurance for your company? Typically, a good insurance policy isn't an expensive ticket item for your business. make absolutely sure your insurance policy covers employee dishonesty, so that you're not liable for a bad employee's behavior.

Do you currently do background checks on your potential new employees? You can reduce the risk of theft, fraud and unreliable behavior on the part of your employees if you've them go through a screening process. Again, performing background checks isn't expensive and can save you the time, energy and money that is lost when investing in the wrong person to be a part of your staff.

Do you've confidentiality and client purchase agreements signed and on file for your employees? How do you protect your clients' information if you don't have a procedure for your employees about confidential information? What about a client purchase agreement? Did you know that in Pennsylvania a non-compete agreement is difficult to enforce? Instead of a non-compete, or in addition to your non-compete agreement, have your employees sign a client purchase agreement. This can clearly outline that if an employee leaves your company that any client they take with them must be purchased from you. You should always have your attorney review any documents that you're going to use for this purpose. However, don't lose clients simply because you did not have your paper work in place.

Third: Have procedures in place for internet use and access.

Don't let anyone panic you about hackers, highjackers and spyware. You can take simple but effective steps to protect your computer system.

First, do you've a procedure in place for your employees outlining your company's internet procedures? You have to outline for your employees the proper use of this resource.
Do you've a firewall set up to protect your incoming and outgoing email from spam and viruses? Most IT professionals can set up a firewall for you to avoid problems associated with email.

Do you've email procedures in place with your employees? Limiting the personal use of your company's email can avoid a lot of potential issues. You should also educate your staff not to open emails from unidentified sources.

Do you scan your computers at least weekly to seek out viruses and spyware? You can search the internet to get freeware, which is software at no cost on the providers' websites. These software programs scan your computer and eliminate any problems they run into.

Fourth and Final: Talk with other business owners in your network to find out how they protect their businesses.

Find someone at your next networking event that might have similar industry standards as your company and ask them to share their experience with you. You may be surprised at the simple, yet effective ways you can protect your business.

Meg Eynon started at the Payroll Factory in 1994. With a BA from West Chester University she looked for opportunities to build a life as a business professional. Meg's dedication to customers and quality was rewarded in 2000 when she was promoted to Vice President.

Meg loves her job and the company she helped build. She likes that The Payroll Factory's full service team helps clients grow their businesses by providing advice in the areas of payroll processes, procedures and protocols; eliminating the need for small business owners to divert their attention from running their businesses.

Meg resides in Pennsylvania and in her spare time loves to read and spends a good deal of time playing, gardening and cooking with her husband and son.

http://www.thepayrollfactory.com