DBA guidelines no substitute for right deal

I read Brandon Cheevers’ piece (see “dw200101260039”) with interest. While the Design Business Association guidelines on contracts will help the debate, they can’t be a substitute for consultancies taking responsibility for getting the right deal.

As lawyers to the creative industries we are familiar with people’s reluctance to think through what they need from a deal and negotiate it. Nonetheless, consultancies need to create “standard” terms which fit their business operation and future plans and then strive to implement them successfully.

The result will be better business for your consultancy today and increased value in your consultancy in the event of a sale in the future. Shouldn’t all consultancies invest in that?

Margaret Briffa

margaret@briffa.com