CIVIL LITIGATION

Business Infrastructure

The Firm not only provides the necessary legal resources but provides business infrastructure consulting. It is one thing to provide a drafted contract, policy, or address an issue, but properly “delivering” it is a totally different issue – whether to a client, employee, or a vendor. The Firm specializes in providing various delivery solutions in context of the services being rendered. Below elements are not the services the firm provides, but consults businesses on:

  • Business Location. A business address will be needed when forming a business. Some business owners choose to use their home address as the business location – which is not a problem for some businesses. Another issue business owners face is that when a home address is used, it becomes a public record. With such information public, there are some privacy concerns not only for the business owner – who may not care – but his loved ones residing at that address. Virtual offices are a great solution to this issue, offering the best of both words.
  • Mailing Address. Since businesses may change locations, we advise getting a post office box to be used for important correspondence. Some providers allow using their post office as a type of virtual office.
  • Phone Numbers. When you start or have a business, obtain a separate phone number. A business phone number provides a number of benefits such as controlling inbound calls, automated and pre-recorded messages for information, as well as boundaries to your personal life. There are a number of providers that offer this service at a very reasonable price.
  • Email Address. Every business should have a separate email address. It helps the business owner to separate personal matters from business matters. We recommend that a business obtain a web domain to get unique email addresses, e.g., name@business.com. A Gmail address, for example, will work but it will not allow the business to use technological tools such as cloud document access, password management, tasks management, or any other software that requires a separate user to have an email address. If you are a one-man-band, having a Gmail address should be sufficient. However, refrain from using one email address for both business and personal needs.
  • User Permissions. User permissions are software permissions assigned in a given software. This is important for document and records management. One employee may need access to a document but not another. When an employee leaves, the business simply revokes the access permissions, preventing unauthorized access.
  • Cloud Storage. Instead of storing business documents locally on the computer’s hard drive, we recommend that every business obtain either network access storage or cloud storage to avoid data loss.
  • Security. Data security in context of a business is very important. Access to documents must be controlled so that individuals cannot gain unauthorized access. Passwords are controlled and revoked upon staff changes. The law mandates that certain security protocols be in place.
  • Digital and E-Signatures. The days of signing documents by hand are long gone, unless specifically required by law. DocuSign, AdobeSign, HelloSign, and other software are great solutions to completing documents. There are other commercial and strategic reasons why digital signatures are advisable.
  • Paperless Offices. The cost of moving the business “into the cloud” is very affordable. With paperless offices, the documents are in the air, offering instant access, organization, and most importantly, controlled access.
  • Documentation Infrastructure. When a business starts, it must be logically organized. Every business has contracts, legal documents, HR, software, purchasing, inventory, etc. There is a uniform way to organize those documents into logical categories.

FAQs

Business infrastructure is not law or legal services. Why should you consult in this area?

We want to grow with your business. Any help we can provide will ultimately benefit the firm. Organization and tips provided here reduce stress, set up boundaries, and offer easier business management – which in turn provides for a happy client.

Why can't I use my home address as a business address?

In some cases, local ordinances prevent you from using your home address as a business address. Other times, it is allowed but privacy may be an issue when a business has a disgruntled customer. There are creative ways to resolve this.

Why do I need a separate phone number?

A dedicated phone number, specifically VOIP, will allow you to record a dial plan (or a voice tree) that will manage calls and automate a portion of the call. It is fairly inexpensive to establish.

Why do I need a separate email address?

Having a separate business email address provides controlled access to documents, separates personal matters from business matters (required by law in certain circumstances), and provides software solutions that will make the business more efficient.

Why should I consider a permission-based approach to my business?

A permission-based approach is typically recommended for a business with varying levels of document sensitivity as well as confidential information management (such as passwords, financials, or tax information). It is not required for a business.

Why is my paper-based system not recommended?

Physical paper is not as efficient or secure as a paperless environment.