Operating where conduct is inconsistent.
WHAT THE SITUATION IS
Environments where improper demands are common and competitors participate.
WHY IT IS GENUINELY HARD
Refusing has real commercial and sometimes personal cost.
WHAT NOT TO DO
Pretend the difficulty does not exist Assume everyone participates Assume nobody does
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
What is genuinely required, and what is merely demanded.
WHY
Much of what appears mandatory is not.
HOW TO FIND OUT
Official published requirements, professional advisers, and industry associations.
WHAT TRANSPARENCY ACHIEVES
Improper demands depend on privacy.
WHAT TO DO
Request official documentation for everything, consistently.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH INTERNALLY
That the business's position is known and consistent.
WHY CONSISTENCY
Businesses known not to pay are asked less often.
WHAT TO BUILD
Relationships and compliance that reduce vulnerability.
WHY
Businesses with everything in order have less to be leveraged.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
That your permits, filings and obligations are current.
WHY IT MATTERS HERE
Non-compliance is what improper demands attach to.
WHAT TO CONSIDER
Collective action with others in your industry.
WHY
Individual refusal is harder than collective refusal.
WHAT TO ACCEPT
That some business will be lost.
WHAT TO WEIGH AGAINST IT
Legal exposure, extortion risk, and what your staff learn.
WHAT TO RECORD
Every demand and refusal.
WHY
It evidences your position and it protects you.
WHAT TO OBTAIN
Legal advice on your specific exposure.
