Alright stop, collaborate and listen. Making Collaboration Agreements fun
We recently had the pleasure of working with two leading Bendigo businesses in the allied health space – 3D Physiotherapy and Treehouse Paediatrics.
The pair are business besties, and had a genius business idea:
A program called All Abilities Strength that is a neuro affirming exercise class hosted at 3D Physio studio with staff from both businesses. The collaboration would deliver the gym-based group program for children under 18 years of age, funded by NDIS, private health or other means.
If there was a problem, yo I’ll solve it 🎶
(Why they needed us?)
These two powerhouse women have been in business for a while and know that when you partner with another person or business for something work related, it is clever to have everything clearly mapped out on paper. That way, if things change down the track, there’s no room for confusion, disappointment or drama.
Involving a professional means that you can have that impartial, trained eye involved to check for things you might have missed, and make sure everything is worded clearly.
You better hit bullseye, the kid don’t play 🎶
(What we worked through together)
- We made sure everyone’s roles were clear so that everyone is on the same page about who does what and when.
- We helped with their insurance and liability questions. What happens if someone gets hurt during a class? What insurance does everyone need to have?
- We added some succession planning aspects. What happens if the program does super well and you want to roll it out on other sites, how do you share that success?
- And on the flip side, who owns the Intellectual Property (IP) that you develop? What can each of you use individually outside of the program or after you stop delivering the program together?
Quick to the point, to the point, no fakin’ 🎶
(What we created)
We pulled it all together into a neat, no-fuss Collaboration Agreement. Some might call it a Memorandum of Understanding or MOU – we just like to keep things plain and simple.
This short, sharp, 2 page contract outlined the relationship: covering core responsibilities, financial arrangements, confidentiality and liabilities, who owns the IP and even marketing responsibilities!
More importantly, we created certainty and created something they could rely on, building in the things we will need for whatever the future may have in store.
Anything less than the best is a felony 🎶
(Who needs an MOU or Collaboration Agreement?)
Anyone who is partnering or working with someone else for a shared outcome should consider a Collaboration Agreement. We plan for the things that can go right and wrong and have an agreement on paper that we can refer to and manage the things that might happen in the future.
Having those conversations upfront can be the most valuable part! We get everyone on the same page and clear up any mismatched expectations before you get too far down the track.
Without something on paper, we’re relying on everyone’s goodwill to negotiate something fair later on – often in what can be a pretty heated moment.
And let’s be honest, that is not the time you want to be winging it. (Ice, ice baby… too cold? Exactly. We’d rather keep things cool from the start).
We definitely get plenty of those “things have gone sideways” calls – it’s much easier, and less stressful, to get it sorted up front.
Thinking about a collaboration on your own?
Let’s chat. We can help you work through the curly questions, the big goals and the small print – and help you put together an agreement that protects everyone involved and sets you up for success.
Friendly. Practical. No scary legal-speak. Just smart planning for amazing people doing great things.
Contact Curium Legal, your favourite pun-loving business lawyer ❄️
