If you google “Quotes about Opportunity,” you’ll find 1273 quotes on Goodreads.com. Everyone’s interested in opportunities. But when it comes to business relationships, don’t let others take yours.

When servicing a customer, businesses often call upon use subcontractors for help. That can be a win-win, so long as the subcontractor does not try to poach the relationship once that deal is done.

Consider protecting the opportunities you present to subcontractors with a non-circumvention clause. The concept here is that when your business has introduced a subcontractor to a customer to work on a project, the subcontractor should not be allowed to circumvent your business and provide the same service directly to that customer, effectively cutting you out.

Non-circumvention clauses should be drafted carefully and narrowly. The prohibition should be limited in scope to (a) services your business can provide directly and (b) services that the subcontracor provided through your arrangement, as a result of your introduction. Don’t overreach. The prohibition should be limited in time, as well.

Protect the opportunities you create. Or the 1274th quote might be about opportunities lost. (Goodreads.com also has 903 quotes about regret.)

© 2017 Todd Lebowitz, posted on WhoIsMyEmployee.com, Exploring Issues of Independent Contractor Misclassification and Joint Employment. All rights reserved.