Document signing is a common aspect of any business, which is both positive and negative. A contract keeps both parties protected if a disagreement occurs, but you have to take time out of your day to drop off a contract or set up an appointment for a meeting. With e-signatures, anyone can streamline multiple parts of the business process, including the following.
Sales Contracts
A sales contract is likely the most signed item for many businesses. Its importance can’t be undermined because these contracts provide detailed descriptions of the goods and services, the duration of the goods or services offered, and the standards said goods and services should meet. While these contracts are standard, international business could sometimes be halted for weeks if an original copy of a signature was required. When using an e-signature platform, like Bonsai’s signature maker, you can immediately start cooperating with international businesses.
Supplier/Vendor Agreements
Small businesses are often at a disadvantage when negotiating with vendors because they realize you need them more than they need you. When speaking to a new supplier, it’s crucial to lock in an agreement quickly before minds change or you’re left without materials. With e-signatures, you can finalize a deal within minutes and order your first batch.
Change Orders
In any business, the only thing that stays constant is change. Anything can happen during your workday. Adjusting to excessive missed shipments, consistent sick days, and client specifications will be difficult if you don’t have them in the office to sign a new contract. While some alterations won’t require a new written agreement, others, like clients who make frequent changes, need a legal document stating new terms. To avoid hold-ups or stress from an encroaching deadline, use an e-signature program to complete the change in minutes.
New Customer Forms
A new customer form is more common in salons and doctors’ offices, but other freelancers will draft a new client contract. If your customers want to fill out forms or other papers to secure their business transitions with you, you could use an e-signature to cut back on paperwork. Drafting an electronic document also allows both parties to add or subtract their terms.
Approval Forms
Similar to a supplier/vendor contract, except they are signed to approve that final part of the manufacturing process. These are typically drafted with an inspector, but some businesses will prefer to inspect their own products. With 3D-printing and camera technology, most companies won’t have to go to the plant themselves to look for perceived manufacturing errors. Custom furniture, art stores, and print shops can simply send a photo or a PDF document of the product, and your business could give their approval with an e-signature to complete the order.
Property Agreements
By default, most property is owned by the individual who created it unless it was made under an employer’s supervision. Work for hire employees will give up their rights to a project if they sign a contract dictating this to be the case. Whether you want to keep the property or give it back to the creator, ask them to sign a document stating where the copyright lies.
Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
Non-disclosure agreements provide security in a competitive world. Once an employee signs an NDA, they legally can’t discuss anything pertaining to their job. Software companies will typically ask for an NDA agreement during the creation of the project, so they can’t sell the idea to another competing business. NDAs are commonly overlooked in several industries because of how inconvenient pen and paper signatures are, but e-signatures make this process a breeze. Now your company will have the peace of mind to discuss upcoming projects with confidence.
Age Verification
The bar industry requires age verification for anyone who appears to be under the age of 18 to serve alcohol to guests. Without that verification, the business could shut down from legal issues. Plenty of electronic signature applications integrate ID verification in the process, so you can do a background check while also ensuring the employee can work for you.
Hi
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