What action makes it much easier and faster for a business to actually sign a contract and become your customer?

The action that makes it much easier and faster for a business to actually sign a contract and become your customer is the proactive streamlining and standardization of the entire contracting process. This involves two primary components: simplifying and standardizing the contract terms themselves, and implementing efficient, often digital, methods for contract execution.

First, simplification and standardization of contract terms means using clear, concise language and consistent, pre-approved legal conditions for common transactions or services. A "contract" is a legally binding agreement that details the rights and obligations of the parties involved, while "terms and conditions" are the specific rules and details of that agreement. By standardizing, a business creates reusable contract templates for typical scenarios, which significantly reduces the need for "negotiation." Negotiation is the discussion and bargaining between parties to reach mutual agreement on contract terms. When terms are standardized and simplified, there is less for the customer's legal department to review and fewer points for discussion or requested changes (often called "redlines"), each of which requires additional legal review and negotiation, slowing down the process. Clear language also reduces "ambiguity," meaning multiple possible interpretations, preventing delays as parties seek clarification and accelerating understanding and approval.

Second, efficient and digital execution methods refer to implementing modern tools and processes for sending, reviewing, and signing contracts. "Digital signature platforms," such as DocuSign or Adobe Sign, enable parties to legally sign documents electronically. A "digital signature" is a secure, encrypted electronic mark that verifies the signer's identity and intent while ensuring the document's integrity. These platforms eliminate manual steps like printing, physical signing, scanning, and mailing, which are major sources of delay and logistical friction. Furthermore, using "automated workflows" and "Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) systems" streamlines the process. "Automated workflows" are predefined sequences of tasks that execute automatically (e.g., sending a contract to specific individuals in a set order for review). "Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM)" refers to software that manages the entire contract process from initiation, creation, negotiation, approval, execution, storage, and renewal. These systems streamline internal and external approval cycles, ensure all necessary steps are completed, and provide transparency on the contract's status, thus accelerating the finalization of the agreement.