Chris Breikss is the co-founder and president of 6S Marketing. He is widely recognized as an innovator and an early champion of Internet marketing’s potential. He juggles the responsibilities of his work roles with teaching mobile strategy and marketing at the University of British Columbia and volunteering for North Shore Rescue. He has more than 13 years’ experience in business and cautions against using one of the oldest deal clinchers in business – the handshake.
“It’s a bit old school to think about doing business that way,” said Breikss. “I am not saying you can’t use the honour system, but what I found is that it’s very important to set clear expectations, especially when it comes to deliverables, contracts and outlining payment terms.”
A contract is doubly important when payment, salaries and other financial considerations are involved.
“You can avoid potential conflict down the road,” he said. “Especially when it comes to collecting money, which makes everyone uncomfortable. You have to have clear terms.”
Over the past 13 years he has learned this lesson the hard way.
“People have taken advantage of the handshake in the past,” Breikss said.
But he emphasized that he is not trying to be impersonal.
“I think you have to understand that you are dealing with people and emotions. To me it’s about communication – it’s like a relationship.”
Breikss added that careful planning helps businesses avoid costly miscommunications.
“I think it really comes down to clearly communicating, and if you communicate and set expectations you can avoid potential conflict down the road. We try to stay one step ahead and understand opportunities … trying to recognize potentials for miscommunication and eliminate those early.”
“Having mechanisms in place to archive communication, to archive emails, like a CRM system. That is important when there is turnover in an organization.”
