At Shapcott Lauber, confidentiality is fundamental to every client and prospective-client relationship. Because of the nature of our work, contractor owners may share sensitive financial, operational, strategic, personnel, ownership, customer, project, and competitive information with us. We recognize that this information may affect the company’s reputation, competitive position, employees, customers, succession plans, and long-term value. We therefore treat all nonpublic information entrusted to us with care, discretion, and respect.

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We do not publicly disclose the identity of a client or prospective client, the location of its offices or projects, the nature of its challenges, its financial or operational information, the services we provide, or the results of an engagement unless the client has provided prior authorization. We also do not publish client logos, case studies, testimonials, endorsements, photographs, quotations, performance results, or references without the client’s express approval.

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Protection From Competitive Disclosure

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Our clients often operate in highly competitive markets. Information concerning pricing, margins, customers, employees, subcontractors, suppliers, project opportunities, business-development strategies, operating systems, leadership plans, acquisitions, succession, or financial performance could place a company at a disadvantage if disclosed.

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For that reason, we do not share one client’s confidential information, methods, records, circumstances, or proprietary materials with another client, prospect, competitor, referral source, association, or outside party. Any examples used in educational materials, presentations, articles, or discussions will be generalized or anonymized unless the client has specifically approved disclosure.

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Confidentiality Before the 90-Minute Assessment

 

Before conducting the complimentary 90-Minute Contractor Business Assessment, Shapcott Lauber will provide the prospective client with a written Non-Disclosure Agreement for review and signature.

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The NDA is intended to establish clear expectations regarding the protection and permitted use of confidential information exchanged during the assessment process. Once the NDA has been signed, the prospective client may discuss relevant business conditions with greater confidence, subject to the terms, limitations, and exclusions contained in the agreement.

 

The NDA may address information such as:

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• Financial statements, margins, cash flow, job-cost information, work-in-progress reports, forecasts, and banking information

• Ownership structure, compensation, succession, transition, acquisition, or sale plans

• Organizational charts, employee responsibilities, management performance, and personnel concerns

• Customer, prospect, vendor, supplier, and subcontractor information

• Backlog, pipeline, estimating, pricing, proposals, contracts, projects, and business-development strategies

• Operating procedures, systems, technology, processes, documents, reports, and intellectual property

• Legal, regulatory, insurance, tax, accounting, and risk-management matters

• Other information that is identified as confidential or that reasonably should be understood to be confidential

 

The precise obligations of both parties will be governed by the signed NDA rather than this general website statement.

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Limited Access and Permitted Use

 

Confidential information is used only for legitimate purposes connected with evaluating, planning, or delivering Shapcott Lauber’s services. Access is limited to Shapcott Lauber personnel, independent contractors, advisers, or specialized professional partners who reasonably need the information for an authorized purpose and who are subject to appropriate confidentiality responsibilities.

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We do not use confidential client information for unrelated marketing, solicitation, competitive intelligence, personal advantage, or the benefit of another client.

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Where an engagement involves an independent CPA, attorney, financial professional, technology provider, analyst, or other outside specialist, information will not be shared unless:

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1. The client has authorized or requested the involvement of that party;

2. The disclosure is reasonably necessary for the authorized work; and

3. Appropriate confidentiality protections are in place.

 

The independent professional may also require a separate engagement agreement or authorization directly with the client.

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Testimonials, References, and Client Recognition

 

Shapcott Lauber’s standard practice is not to identify clients publicly. We will not use a client’s name, company name, logo, testimonial, endorsement, quotation, photographs, engagement details, or performance results in our website, social media, presentations, proposals, or promotional materials without prior client authorization.

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Where permission is provided, we will use the information only within the scope approved by the client. The client may also place reasonable conditions on the wording, format, duration, or location of the disclosure.

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Legal and Required Disclosures

 

Confidentiality may be subject to limited exceptions. Information may be disclosed when:

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• The client authorizes the disclosure in writing;

• The information is already lawfully public through no breach by Shapcott Lauber;

• The information was lawfully known to us before it was provided by the client;

• The information is independently developed without use of the client’s confidential information;

• The information is lawfully obtained from another source without a confidentiality obligation;

• Disclosure is reasonably necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of Shapcott Lauber or another person; or

• Disclosure is required by law, subpoena, court order, governmental request, insurance obligation, or professional duty.

 

Where legally permitted and reasonably practicable, we will attempt to notify the affected client before making a legally compelled disclosure so that the client may seek appropriate protection.

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Information Security

Shapcott Lauber uses reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect confidential information against unauthorized access, use, loss, alteration, or disclosure.

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However, no email system, cloud platform, electronic transmission, storage method, or cybersecurity control can guarantee absolute security. Clients should not transmit highly sensitive information through ordinary website forms or unsecured email. When sensitive documents are required, Shapcott Lauber may designate a more appropriate transfer method.

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Return and Retention of Information

 

Confidential records may be retained for legitimate business, legal, contractual, insurance, tax, professional, or recordkeeping purposes. Subject to those requirements and the terms of an applicable agreement, Shapcott Lauber may return, delete, destroy, archive, or anonymize confidential information when it is no longer reasonably needed.

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Electronic backup copies may remain for a limited period within routine backup, disaster-recovery, or security systems, subject to continuing confidentiality protections.

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No Automatic Professional Relationship

 

A website inquiry, introductory conversation, Scorecard submission, or exchange of preliminary information does not by itself create a consulting relationship or engagement-specific duty of confidentiality.

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Prospective clients should avoid submitting detailed confidential information through general website forms before the NDA has been signed. A formal advisory relationship begins only when the parties execute the appropriate written agreements.

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Questions About Confidentiality

 

If you have questions about Shapcott Lauber’s confidentiality practices, please call 336-932-6575 or schedule a confidential conversation with Bill Shapcott using the button below.