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Every business, no matter the size, should conduct employee performance reviews at least once a year. This process gives employers a chance to let employees know that they are valued and that their efforts are appreciated, and it also affords an opportunity to address any areas that may need improvement.

Every business needs competent legal counsel. The bigger the business, and the more widespread the scope of the business, the more complex the legal issues facing it will be. Failure to cover all the legal bases of a transaction at the outset can result in dire and costly consequences. So it's crucial to find the right lawyer to handle your company's legal affairs. The task can seem daunting, but getting satisfactory answers to the following questions will help you narrow down the possibilities.

It all started so well. You went into business with a friend or colleague, and for awhile everything was great. But as time went on you realized it wasn't working. Now you want to dissolve the partnership but you're worried it will ruin your friendship. You need to find a way out of the business relationship that doesn't leave you hating each other at the end of the process.

Sounds a lot like ending a marriage, doesn't it? And the fallout of terminating the relationship can be just as acrimonio...

Have you reached a point with your business where it's no longer desirable or feasible to continue operations? So many businesses, large and small, have faced that decision during the COVID-19 pandemic. It's very difficult to consider walking away from something that you have built with your own equity, sweat, love and passion. But if you have reached that crossroads and there is no hope of selling it and no family members or employees willing to take it over, then your only other course of action may be to shut it down, liquidate the assets, and pay your creditors.

Confidentiality agreements, non-disclosure agreements, NDAs, business protection agreements – no matter what you call them, they're an essential part of a company's internal and external contractual structure.

There is no good reason for your business not to use an NDA, and a number of good reasons why you should have at least one NDA template in your corporate toolbox. Many companies have several Non-Disclosure Agreements – one for employees, one for outside contractors, one for suppliers, etc...

If you operate a small business, you already fill a lot of different roles. Should Accountant / Bookkeeper be one of them? Maybe outsourcing is an option that will work for you. Here are some pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to outsource your accounting functions vs. doing them inhouse.

I just renewed my Canadian passport, and one of the questions on the renewal form was "Are you a naturalized Canadian?" Which started me wondering about what a "naturalized Canadian" is, and what the difference is between naturalization and Canadian citizenship.

Those of us who are lucky enough to have been born and raised in Canada get to enjoy all the rights, privileges and benefits of being citizens of this wonderful country. I believe that I live in the best country in the world. And appare...

Image by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay

What is an indemnity bond?

An indemnity bond (also called a surety bond or fidelity bond) is a form of insurance purchased by one party to a contract as a means of compensating a second party to the contract, should the first party fail to deliver on its promises or perform its obligations. The bond is guaranteed by a third party (usually a bank) which agrees to pay the second party if the first party defaults.

Under what circumstances would an indemnit...

As a condo board member, I've been asked on several occasions at AGMs to discuss the benefits of having a professional property management company take over the management of our self-managed condominium. Every unit owner in our building knows that this will mean an increase in our monthly condo fees, but will the benefits make the extra costs worthwhile? Let's look at the pros and cons of hiring a professional management company vs self-management by the condo association.

1. Cost

There's no ...

Are you in the process of registered a trade mark? Do you know which trade mark symbol to use at each stage of the process in connection with the trade mark?