Got a problem? Organize it. If you need help to accomplish your objectives, you need to be able to explain it clearly and completely. If you can’t articulate the problem and how it developed, you force your attorney to extract it from you. That takes time and time is money. So do your homework.
1. Need a problem solved? Can you tell your story in a logical way? Outline it. List events by date. Include names, places and supporting documentation, whether letters, emails, contracts. Witnesses who can validate?
2. Have a dispute that may go to litigation or arbitration? Don’t just sum up your side of the story. Nobody’s perfect. What does the other side have on you? Tell the whole story.
3. Think you want to franchise your business? Are you ready? Do you understand what franchising is? Do you know exactly what you will do to get your new franchisee in business? If you sold 12 franchises in your first year, how would you get them open, operating and successful? Staff? Support? Manuals? Managing communications? Vendors?
These questions are just the tip of the iceberg. It’s up to you. Give your lawyer the best opportunity to help you.
