You got questions?
About
- What is your background in contracting and negotiation (why should I listen to you)?
- How did you get into writing?
- How did you get into speaking? Do you know of any places for me to speak?
Blog
- How can I get you to write about topics that are more interesting to me?
- What governs your posting schedule?
- How can I find posts on a specific topic or subject matter?
Services
- I need help, but what can you really do for me?
- How much do you charge for your services?
- Do you have any contract templates for sale?
Products
Software Licensing Handbook
- I see the book, but it looks kinda’ expensive. What do I get for my money?
- Does the book contain templates or sample contracts?
- I handle a lot of services agreements, does the SLH cover those contracts?
Software Licensing Education Series
- Why videos?
- Why did you format your videos for smaller screens?
- Do you offer live-training sessions?
- How many videos are available? Will there be more?
- Can I suggest topics for inclusion in subsequent classes?
- Do you offer discounts for multiple purchases?
Software License Risk Matrix
Forum
Contact
Symetrisk
- OK, what the heck is Symetrisk?
- When is it going to be available?
- How much is it going to cost?
- I would like to be a beta tester… can I?
We’ve got answers. Maybe.
About
- What is your background in contracting and negotiation (why should I listen to you)?
- How did you get into writing?
- How did you get into speaking? Do you know of any places for me to speak?
While I was in law school, I ran a consulting group designed to assist individuals and small business owners in the purchase and implementation of computers and technology. After graduation in 1998, I started worked as a systems and network administrator before finally learning that there was an actual career as a negotiator. In the last decade, I’ve worked for three regulated industries (power, insurance and banking) and for two technology companies (a hardware and a software firm). In most cases, I was responsible for extremely large deals. I have had the good fortune to work with extremely bright individuals and have learned from many of the best contracts professionals in the world.
I published a paper in my 3L year and got the writing bug as a result. It took almost five years to start again when I realized that there were no great guide on the software licensing process. Writing that first draft, however, was a three-year labor of love. Every time I thought I was done, I found more questions that needed answers, more topics in need of explanation. Eventually, I just had to publish. The result was the Software Licensing Handbook now in its Second Edition. The blog was simply an extension of my desire to connect with fellow contracts professionals and negotiators.
In 1990, I was offered the opportunity to become an Instructor for the American Red Cross. I quickly learned that I had a passion for teaching and I loved the look on a student’s face when they had that “a-ha” moment of clarity and understanding. Flash forward about a decade and I started participating in a lot of contracts-related conferences. If you’re interested in speaking at conferences, simply do a google search on the subject matter of your potential topic along with the words “conference” or “seminar” and the four-digit year following the current year (conference planners work at least one year ahead).
Blog
- How can I get you to write about topics that are more interesting to me?
- What governs your posting schedule?
- How can I find posts on a specific topic or subject matter?
Easy. You can submit a topic via Skribit on the blog page. Or you can send me a comment. I’ll try to have a relevant post up within a few weeks.
I started with the idea that I would blog one time per week. I quickly discovered that there are a lot of newsworthy topics that couldn’t wait for the week to pass. I also realized that I had more to share, as well. So I now try to post at least twice a week, more often with news and event notices.
There are several ways to sift through the site to find information that might be interesting to you. The Search box on the blog page allows you a full-text search of every word in print stored in the database. Simply type in your search term and hit “search”. Additionally, notice the dropdown menu under the middle column titled “Categories”. I’ve tagged every post with at least one (usually more) category tags. Third, you can always use the Monthly Archives dropdown, too, if you remember the month and year that an article was posted.
Services
- I need help, but what can you really do for me?
- How much do you charge for your services?
- Do you have any contract templates for sale?
Well, that depends. In most cases, I’m a hired gun for a particular project. You contract with me to perform a specific set of tasks and once that’s done, so is our relationship. In these situations, I can be your surrogate – attending a negotiation in your place and conducting the entire process for you. I can also be your adviser or subject matter expert – the guy sitting silently next to you, whispering in your ear providing you play-by-play advice. I can also be completely behind-the-scenes, available to you for phone or in-person consultations but never seen by anyone but you. The choice is up to you.
Ahhh… this is the real question, isn’t it? Unfortunately, I can’t tell you without knowing what services you need. Contact me and we can have an upfront discussion of fees based on your needs.
I am a firm believer in templates. But a single template is never a one-size-fits-all situation. At best, they’re one-size-fits-some. As a result, I create custom contract templates for my clients based on their specific needs. This provides each client with a better solution rather than a cobbled-together contract recycled from other deals which might not address key topics.
Products
Software Licensing Handbook
- I see the book, but it looks kinda’ expensive. What do I get for my money?
- Does the book contain templates or sample contracts?
- I handle a lot of services agreements, does the SLH cover those contracts?
I admit that I’m not giving the Software Licensing Handbook away for free. But at 355 pages, the Handbook is the most comprehensive software licensing, contract negotiation and process manual available. It will walk you through every section of a software license, services, and maintenance agreement, along with giving you specific information on the RFx process, contract management instruction and negotiation skills.
If that wasn’t enough, I’m also giving away the Software License Risk Matrix as an extra bonus for buyers of the Software Licensing Handbook. Oh, and just for good measure, buyers will also receive one free risk review via Symetrisk upon its release.
As I discuss in the Service FAQ section above, I am a firm believer in templates. However, one template won’t meet everyone’s needs and I would be doing you a disservice if you trusted a template not customized to your needs. Additionally, depending on who you are (or who you work for), your contract template may not always be available to you. The Software Licensing Handbook was written to explain the language you will find in almost every license, regardless of who writes it – and how to work through that language.
Absolutely! I have an entire section devoted to the specific language in services agreements.
Software Licensing Education Series
- Why videos?
- Why did you format your videos for smaller screens?
- Do you offer live-training sessions?
- How many videos are available? Will there be more?
- Can I suggest topics for inclusion in subsequent classes?
- Do you offer discounts for multiple purchases?
I learned a long time ago that there are three different types of learners: those that learn by seeing, those that learn by hearing and those that learn by doing. The Software Licensing Handbook is entirely a “seeing” teaching tool. I wanted to find a way to help those who learn by listening. So I created the Software Licensing Education Series, made to be heard. So, while there are simple slides on screen, every word is said aloud. Thus, seeing isn’t needed at all – you can listen to these videos in your car and not miss a thing.
The purpose of each video is really to deliver audio-based lessons. But I know that some folks want to see AND hear. So I designed the videos for a personal delivery method, for people watching at their desks at work on their computers or watching on their portable media player on the train or airplane (or just sitting at home).
I would be happy to come to your event or workplace to deliver live training courses customized to your specific requirements. Contact me to schedule a date and to discuss topics. Major subject areas usually include software licensing, contracting, negotiation and risk management.
Right now, there are eight available videos, a 100s Track and a 200s Track, with another 10 in development to be released by year-end.
Absolutely! Contact me and let me know. But remember, ideas for classes become mine the minute you click “submit” and I will not owe you any royalty or payment for the idea or any course fees earned as a result of creating a class based on your suggestion(s).
Coming soon. Check the store for the collection. If you need quantity purchases for multiple learners, please contact me directly.
Software License Risk Matrix
- What will this document provide me?
- I hear I can get the Risk Matrix for free. Is this true?
Remembering all of the information contained in the Software Licensing Handbook or in the LicensingHandbook Blog can be daunting, especially in a face-to-face negotiation. The Risk Matrix is a 19-page, legal-sized document that you can easily carry into a negotiation and have in your arsenal for quick reference, even with the other side right across the table from you!
Yes, buyers of the Second Edition of the Software Licensing Handbook are entitled to the Risk Matrix for free. Simply complete this form and click submit.
Forum
- Who are the contributors on the forum?
- Can I contribute to the forum?
The forum is completely open to anyone who would like to contribute relevant information.
You bet! Simply sign up and start posting.
Contact
- I have a question not answered here, can I ask?
- How can I get in touch with someone for services?
Of course, contact me here.
Yes, just select “Request for Services” from the dropdown menu and fill out the form.
Symetrisk
- OK, what the heck is Symetrisk?
- When is it going to be available?
- How much is it going to cost?
- I would like to be a beta tester… can I?
If you’re a contracts or purchasing professional, you have probably encountered the dreaded “deal review” scenario. Your management requires a long process to get the deal approved: legal review, business review, financial review (not to mention your negotiation process). Phew. By the end, everyone’s tired and it’s only 1 deal. Symetrisk is designed to substantially speed this process AND keep a record (and thus create a baseline) of the risks involved in each of your deals.
The initial development is complete and I’m converting it to a more usable format now. I had hoped this would be done by December 2008. Now, I’m just hoping to have it done before the end of 2009.
Price is still in undetermined.
Sure. Sign up on the contact page, selecting “Symetrisk Mailing List” from the dropdown menu.
[Last updated: September 13, 2008]
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