Always do a deal sheet before moving on to a contract.
ADAGE
Use One-Page Agreements
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RESPONSE
Always do a deal sheet before moving on to a contract. A deal sheet permits you to maintain step-by-step control through the deal formulation and negotiation process. Keep it to a single bulleted page, but with enough detail so you can hand it over to the other side to convert into a contract without risk of their lawyer adding unreasonable provisions to it. Christians have the ultimate One-Page Deal Sheet: the Ten Commandments. Prior to “plumbing” the deal terms, look at the terms for your soul. Generally, the more lawyers it takes to get a deal done, the less likely it will work. Do your homework. Know what you are getting into.
SCRIPTURE
Proverbs 12:24 Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
QUESTIONS
How do the Scripture(s) apply to the business adage?
When would you do a handshake deal?
How can you trust your lawyers and other professionals to faithfully uphold your values when negotiating a deal?
If you can’t reduce a deal to a one-page summary, do you have a deal? Is it too big or complex? Can you segment the deal into smaller transactions that are more controllable?
Explain why you are doing this deal? Does it serve God? Or your vanity? Perhaps your savings account? Should your One-Page Deal Sheet should begin with “How does the deal allow me to better serve God?”
DOWNLOAD
Download the free PDF worksheet for this adage, print it, and use it in your meeting, conference, or group.
