6.2Recurring issues (playbook)
The essentials in 30 seconds
- Reflex: one symptom = likely causes = a sequence of actions — diagnose before acting, consult as soon as the stakes are serious.
- Root: a recurring trouble almost always comes from the same fundamentals (write and keep records, read before signing, protect your assets, prevent).
- Order: start from the table's most frequent cause, then check against facts and your documents before applying the rest.
Yacine thread — 1 year on: the playbook posted in the office
One year on, Yacine keeps this playbook near his contract templates. Verdict: three lines served him most — disagreement with no evidence avoided through systematic writing, the clause re-read before signing, and the unpaid invoice handled early via the amicable ladder. For each, he ended up fixing the reflex (write, read, prevent) instead of repeating the incident.
Observed symptom, checked causes, actions in order: the reflex holds in three beats.
One reflex per symptom
Most legal troubles recur for classic reasons. Linking each symptom to its likely causes and a sequence of actions saves precious time — and reminds you when to seek advice. ⚠️ General guidance, not advice: check the law of your country.
| Symptom | Likely causes | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| A disagreement with a customer/supplier and no evidence | verbal agreement, nothing in writing, documents not kept | confirm in writing, keep contracts/quotes/delivery notes/invoices; “prove or perish” (L0.4, L5.2) |
| Discovering that a signed clause traps us | contract signed without full reading or negotiation | read everything BEFORE signing, negotiate upstream, have high-stakes contracts reviewed (L1.2, L1.5) |
| A third party has filed “our” name / copies our products | trademark never filed, use without protection | file your trademark, take action for infringement (if you hold rights) or unfair competition; check availability upstream (L4.1, L2.4) |
| We paid for a creation but do not control the rights | no written assignment of copyright | require/regularise a written, precise assignment (rights, media, territory, duration) (L4.2) |
| Doubt about “data” compliance (customers, employees) | no register, unclear lawful basis/purpose, excessive collection | map processing activities, lawful basis, minimise, inform, secure (L3.1, L3.2) |
| An unpaid invoice dragging on | late follow-up, no formal notice, limitation period approaching | early amicable escalation → formal notice → simplified procedure; watch the limitation period (L2.3) |
| General terms that do not protect you | unenforceable (communicated late, hidden) or unfair terms | present and have accepted BEFORE the contract, keep proof, balanced clauses (L2.1) |
| Rushing to court driven by outrage | litigation seen as the first response | favour amicable resolution, mediation, settlement; weigh cost/benefit/chances (L5.2, L5.3) |
| Exposed to a serious risk with no protection | no mapping, no suitable insurance | map risks, prevent, transfer (insurance) serious risks (L5.1, L5.4) |
Ready-to-say script — name the symptom before acting (1 min)
“My symptom: [disagreement with no evidence / trapping clause / dragging unpaid invoice]. My hypothesis no. 1: [the playbook's most frequent cause]. I check against facts and my documents, I apply the sequence, and I consult if the stakes are serious. I review in two weeks.”
Copy-paste template — express diagnosis sheet
Observed SYMPTOM (facts and documents): ...
Since when / frequency: ...
Likely CAUSES (playbook 6.2): ...
Check (facts, kept records, re-read clauses): ...
ACTIONS (in order): 1) ... 2) ... 3) ...
CONSULTATION needed? (stakes, who, when): ...
REVIEW in 2 weeks: improved? stable? worse?...Small business / tight budget
No formal table: one symptom, one cause checked against facts, one noted correction.
Algeria SME
Include local practices in the causes before concluding: evidence circuits, real payment delays, access to legal professionals.
Remote / hybrid
Add the records circuit to likely causes: at a distance, an agreement not confirmed in writing looks like no agreement.
Cross-cultural
Check the local applicable law before acting: a clause valid here may have no effect elsewhere.
48h challenge — apply tomorrow
Spot 1 current symptom in your business, fill the express diagnosis sheet and test the 1st action.
- I can link a symptom to its likely causes.
- I have filled (or scheduled) an express diagnosis sheet.
- I know the referral to the level to dig into for my case.
Yacine discovers a signed clause traps him. Which reflex does the playbook apply?
A recurring problem is not ten incidents: it is one missing reflex to fix at the root (write and keep records, read before signing, protect your assets, prevent). ⚠️ Law varies by country: consult a professional in your jurisdiction for a real case.