Why Documented Meetings

Are the Secret Weapon of Success

Running the Runpreneur Challenge—my quest to run 40,075km over 4,292+ consecutive days and raise £1,000,000 for children's causes—has taught me a thing or two about keeping records. When you’re building something this ambitious, even the smallest crack in your business partnerships can trigger a landslide. (Believe me—I almost learnt the hard way!)

Disaster Strikes When There’s Nothing in Writing

Recently, one of my partnerships ran into a heated disagreement. It was just role and responsibility confusion, but with no written record or recording, we were stuck in a classic stand-off: my word vs. theirs. Thankfully, a third partner could resolve it, but if it was just the two of us? Deadlock. A forgotten handshake could have ruined everything.

AI and modern tools make documenting agreements faster and easier than ever. Yet in this case, we skipped the process—and paid for it in wasted time, stress, and potential risk to the business.

The 1-2-3 of Meeting Documentation

1. Email Summaries
   After every key meeting, send out a quick summary email of what was agreed.

2. Audio/Video Recording
   With permission, record meetings for complete clarity—especially online calls.

3. Heads of Terms
   Create a simple, written “head's of terms” document whenever you make a major agreement.

If you think “I’ll never need it”, that’s sod’s law in action! The moment you do need proof, and don’t have it, conflicts erupt and could cost you everything.

The Pitfalls of ‘My Word Against Yours’

Without documentation:

• Disagreements escalate

• Deadlocks form in two-party partnerships

• There’s no evidence in legal disputes

• A minor oversight can collapse an entire venture

Don’t let poor record-keeping hold you back! The difference between a thriving business and disaster often comes down to whether you can pull up an old email or audio file.

Proactive Partnerships: Spot Dodgy Dealings Early

Here’s my secret test: At the start of any crucial meeting, simply say, “Hope you don’t mind if I record this so we all have a reference point.” If someone objects without reason, that’s your red flag—are they planning to renege on the deal later? Clear records keep everyone honest.

Join the Mission: Beyond 4,292 Days, 40,075 km and £1,000,000 for Kids

Every step I run, every day I vlog, raises both awareness and critical funds for children in need. If you believe every child deserves a fighting chance, subscribe, share, like, and comment. The more attention we grab, the more lives we save.

Are you ready to never lose another handshake agreement again? Let’s grow our businesses, support kids worldwide, and run towards a brighter future—one documented meeting at a time.

Stay positive, stay happy, and document everything – your business (and your cause) will thank you for it.