General Terms of Use

Effective date: June 3rd 2025

1. Nature of the Relationship

1.1 Coaches are independent contractors and operate their own businesses.
1.2 Coaches are not employees, agents, or representatives of BusinessCoach International.
1.3 Coachees enter into a direct service relationship with the coach. The coach bears full responsibility for all customer agreements, service delivery, and legal compliance
1.4 These Terms constitute the entire agreement between BusinessCoach International B.V. and the Coach. The applicability of any general terms and conditions of the Coach or any third party is explicitly excluded unless otherwise agreed upon in writing. Any conflicting or additional terms proposed by the Coach are null and void.

2. License and Usage Rights

2.1 Upon acceptance and certification, the Coach receives a non-exclusive, non-transferable, personal license to:

• Use the Circle of Business model and materials;
• Access and use the BusinessCoach Platform (including CRM, scans, tools, and forum);
• Present themselves as “Certified BusinessCoach – Circle of Business”.

2.2 The license is bound to the individual coach and may not be transferred to others or sublicensed.

3. Platform and Services Provided

3.1 Coaches gain access to the BusinessCoach Platform, which includes:

• CRM system for contact, deal, and task management;
• Business scans and client tools;
• Access to the community forum;
• Participation in optional live and online training events.

3.2 BusinessCoach International may provide leads via its website or events but makes no guarantees.
3.3 When a coach receives a lead from BusinessCoach International that results in a paid client engagement, a lead fee of 25% of the value of the first assignment is payable to BusinessCoach International, with a minimum of $250. This fee is due within 14 days of the coach receiving payment from the client.
3.4 BusinessCoach International reserves the right to conduct audits and contact leads generated through its website to verify compliance. If a coach is found to have acted dishonestly or in breach of these terms, BusinessCoach International may immediately terminate the license without refund of any fees paid.
3.5 When clients use the business scan functionality on the platform, the resulting data becomes the property of BusinessCoach International. All scan data is stored in anonymized form and may be used for benchmarking, industry analysis, and service improvement.
3.6 The use of the BusinessCoach Platform is governed by separate Platform Terms of Service. By using the platform, coaches accept and agree to these terms, which cover functionality, updates, technical support, and limitations.
3.7 Coaches are also bound by the Data Processing Agreement (DPA), which outlines how personal data shared via the platform is processed in compliance with data protection laws.
3.8 For further information on data collection and privacy, coaches are required to review and adhere to the BusinessCoach International Privacy Policy, available at https://www.businesscoach.com/privacy.

4. Coach Profile, Community Access and Events

4.1 Each coach has a public profile on the BusinessCoach website, which may include a direct link to the coach’s own website to facilitate potential client contact.
4.2 The community forum is intended for peer support and collaboration among coaches. Coaches agree to treat all shared content with confidentiality and respect. BusinessCoach International reserves the right to monitor forum activity and remove content or restrict access in cases of misconduct or violation of community guidelines.
4.3 Coaches may be invited to attend or participate in live or online events hosted by BusinessCoach International. These events are designed to provide learning, connection and community. Participation is voluntary, unless otherwise communicated for specific roles or programs. Event recordings, materials and content remain the property of BusinessCoach International and may not be distributed without permission.

5. Fees and Renewal

5.1 Coaches pay a one-time onboarding fee upon joining.
5.2 Annually, the license is renewed automatically unless cancelled. Coaches are notified 14 days in advance.
5.3 Fees may be paid annually or monthly as agreed.
5.4 No refund is due in case of early cancellation or termination of the license by either party.

6. Responsibilities of the Coach

6.1 The coach is responsible for:

• Their own legal, tax, and insurance obligations;
• Providing services under their own general terms and policies;
• Maintaining confidentiality and data protection in compliance with applicable laws;
• Accurate and ethical use of the BusinessCoach Platform and brand.

6.2 The coach agrees to operate in alignment with the organizational culture, values, and conduct guidelines of BusinessCoach International. A breach of these guidelines may result in termination of the license.
6.3 Coaches must adhere to the official Code of Conduct, values, and integrity standards as outlined by BusinessCoach International. Repeated violations or behavior inconsistent with these standards may result in suspension or termination of the license.
6.4 Coaches are required to remain active. Inactivity for more than six consecutive months—defined as failure to serve clients, participate in events, or respond to leads—may be grounds for termination of the license.
6.5 Coaches must have adequate professional liability insurance to cover any risks associated with their independent services.
6.6 Coaches are responsible for protecting client data collected via the platform. Any misuse, unauthorized sharing, or negligence resulting in a data breach may result in immediate termination and liability for damages. Coaches must comply with the Data Processing Agreement applicable to all platform use and personal data management.
6.7 Coaches must not use the community forum for self-promotion, solicitation, or advertising of unrelated services. Additionally, they are strictly prohibited from using contact details or contributions shared by other coaches in the community for unsolicited outreach, marketing campaigns, or data harvesting without explicit consent.

7. Intellectual Property and Feedback

7.1 All intellectual property related to the Circle of Business framework, visual model, training materials, and platform content remains the sole property of Bart van den Belt Holding B.V. and may not be copied, modified, sublicensed, or distributed without explicit written permission.
7.2 Any suggestions, feedback, or improvements shared by the Coach regarding the platform, tools, or business model shall become the sole property of BusinessCoach International and may be used or implemented without compensation.

8. Brand and Representation

8.1 Coaches may not present themselves as employees or representatives of BusinessCoach International or BusinessCoach.com. They are not authorized to enter into agreements, represent, or communicate on behalf of BusinessCoach International.
8.2 Coaches are permitted to use the designation “Certified Partner of BusinessCoach.com” and the Circle of Business certification logo, solely in accordance with brand guidelines and within the limitations described in these Terms and the applicable Intellectual Property Notice.
8.3 Coaches are not permitted to use sub-brands, derivatives, or custom branding using the Circle of Business name without written approval. The use of proprietary frameworks, scans, and visuals is limited to licensed contexts and must not be rebranded or redistributed.
8.4 Unauthorized brand use, misrepresentation, or violation of brand guidelines may result in immediate termination of the license. In cases causing reputational harm or client confusion, BusinessCoach International reserves the right to impose a financial penalty proportional to the damage caused.

9. Certification and Quality Control

9.1 BusinessCoach International reserves the right to require periodic quality checks, evaluations, or re-certification from its coaches to maintain consistency and quality across its network. Failure to meet these standards may lead to suspension or termination of the license.
9.2 Nothing in this agreement guarantees the coach a minimum level of income, client base, or lead volume. Business results remain the sole responsibility of the coach.

10. Limitation of Liability

10.1 BusinessCoach International is not liable for damages resulting from the coach’s actions, client disputes, or data entered into the platform.
10.2 BusinessCoach International is not responsible for service outages or performance delays due to circumstances beyond its control, including but not limited to force majeure events, internet disruptions, government orders, or technical failures of third-party providers.
10.3 Clients who engage with a coach via the BusinessCoach International network enter into a direct agreement with the individual coach, who operates independently. BusinessCoach International is not a party to that agreement and shall not be held liable for any outcomes, damages, or disputes arising from the coaching relationship. The client agrees to hold BusinessCoach International and its affiliates harmless from any and all claims, losses, or liabilities resulting from services rendered by the coach.
10.4 BusinessCoach International does not guarantee uninterrupted access to the platform, nor the delivery of a specific number of leads or financial results. Coaches accept that participation in the network is at their own commercial risk.
10.5 Coaches are independently responsible for providing legally compliant privacy statements to their clients. BusinessCoach International offers no legal guarantee that its platform DPA covers the coach’s external data processing obligations.

11. Updates

11.1 These Terms of Use may be updated from time to time. Coaches will be notified of changes via email or platform message.

12. Termination and Data Handling

12.1 Upon termination of the license, access to the BusinessCoach Platform and all related tools will be revoked.
12.2 Coach profiles will be deactivated from the public website within 14 days.
12.3 BusinessCoach International may retain anonymized client or scan data for analytical and benchmarking purposes.
12.4 No rights to use any BusinessCoach International materials, branding, or proprietary content remain after termination.

13. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

13.1 These Terms of Use are governed by the laws of the Netherlands.
13.2 Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be exclusively submitted to the competent court in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

14. Reputation and Conduct

Coaches operate independently and represent their own business. However, they acknowledge that their conduct can impact the reputation of BusinessCoach International. Coaches agree to uphold the highest professional standards and comply with all conduct guidelines. Any behavior that harms the reputation or brand of BusinessCoach International may result in immediate termination of the license and possible financial penalties. BusinessCoach International reserves the right to investigate and act upon complaints or reports of misconduct.

15. Data Protection and Security

Coaches must adhere strictly to all applicable data protection laws and the Data Processing Agreement (DPA). BusinessCoach International may conduct periodic audits to ensure compliance. Any data breaches or negligent handling of personal data by a coach may lead to immediate termination and liability for damages. Coaches shall undergo regular training on data protection best practices as required.

16. Contractual Obligations and Payments

Coaches agree to comply fully with all financial obligations under these Terms, including timely payment of lead fees. Failure to meet contractual or payment obligations may result in suspension or termination of the license without refund. Any disputes regarding fees or contractual terms shall be resolved according to the governing law and jurisdiction outlined herein.

17. Compliance with Laws

Coaches acknowledge their responsibility to comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards in their jurisdiction, including but not limited to privacy, consumer protection, and labor laws. BusinessCoach International makes no guarantee of legal compliance on behalf of coaches and disclaims all liability related to such matters.

18. Platform Availability and Technical Issues

While BusinessCoach International strives to maintain uninterrupted access to the BusinessCoach Platform, it does not guarantee continuous availability or error-free operation. BusinessCoach International is not liable for any losses or damages resulting from platform downtime, technical failures, or third-party service interruptions. Coaches are encouraged to maintain independent backups and contingency plans.

19. Third-Party Liability

BusinessCoach International shall not be liable for any claims, losses, or damages arising from third-party actions, including but not limited to claims from clients of coaches or damages related to platform use. All parties agree to indemnify and hold harmless BusinessCoach International from such claims.

20. Contact

For questions or concerns regarding these Terms of Use, contact:
BusinessCoach International B.V.
legal@businesscoach.com.