Straight-Line Leadership Group B.V. and Straight-Line Leadership Benelux B.V. (hereinafter collectively referred to as “SLL”) offer high-quality coaching and training services to organizations and professionals under the name “Straight-Line.” These terms and conditions have been drawn up to provide maximum clarity and transparency to all parties and to establish a solid foundation for collaboration.
Definition of “The Participant”
For the purposes of these Terms and Conditions, “The Participant” means: any entity or individual acting in a commercial or professional capacity who enters into an agreement with Straight-Line Leadership Group B.V. or Straight-Line Leadership Benelux B.V. (“SLL”) for the provision of coaching or training services. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Organizations, companies, or legal entities that utilize SLL’s services for their teams or employees.
- Professionals, including self-employed individuals, freelancers, or independent contractors, who participate in SLL programs for personal or professional development.
Please note: SLL provides services exclusively to professional entities and does not provide services to consumers acting in a private capacity.
Applicability of these terms and conditions
- These terms and conditions apply to all quotes, agreements, and services provided by SLL, including services offered and provided via digital platforms such as the SLL web portal and app.
- Any deviations from or additions to these terms and conditions are valid only if they are set forth in writing and agreed to by both parties.
- SLL provides services exclusively to professional entities and legal persons, and not to consumers.
Trademark Rights and Intellectual Property
- All brand names and logos, including “Straight-Line Coach,” “Straight-Line Coaching,” “Straight-Line Leadership,” “Straight-Line Business School,” and “Inner Stance,” are the property of SLL and are protected by intellectual property rights.
- Recognizes these rights and will respect them.
- You may not use, share, or modify the trademarks or materials in which the trademarks appear without the written permission of SLL.
- Any violation of this provision shall result in an immediately payable penalty of €25,000 per violation, without prejudice to SLL’s right to additional damages.
Confidentiality and Data Protection
Confidentiality
- The Participant and SLL agree to keep confidential all confidential information exchanged between them during the collaboration.
- The Participant is not permitted to share or disclose materials provided by SLL, such as texts, audio recordings, videos, and other content, without permission.
- SLL takes appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure the confidentiality of data, in accordance with the Privacy Statement.
Data Protection
- SLL processes personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
- Participants' data will be used exclusively for the agreed-upon purposes, such as:
- Providing personalized coaching and training.
- Administrative processing of payments.
- Compliance with legal obligations.
- Access to data is strictly controlled and limited to authorized employees, as defined in Article 11 (Data Management and Access Control).
Visual material
- During events or training sessions, SLL may record video and/or audio for promotional and educational purposes.
- Consent: By participating, the Participant grants permission for the use of this material. This permission may be revoked in writing.
Restrictions for the Participant:
- You may not create or publish your own visual material without the written permission of SLL.
- A fine of €25,000 will be imposed for any violation.
Payments and fees
1. Prices and Payment Terms
- Prices: All prices are exclusive of VAT, unless expressly stated otherwise in the agreement or invoice.
- Payment terms: Payments must be made within 14 days of the invoice date and no later than 7 days before the start of the service.
2. Consequences of late payment
In the event of late payment, the following rules apply:
- Refusal of Participation:SLL reserves the right to refuse participation in the service until full payment, including any additional costs, has been made.
- Collection fees:In the event of late payment, SLL will charge extrajudicial collection fees. The amount of these fees depends on the Participant’s status:
3. Participants acting as a legal entity or a professional business:
For Participants acting in the course of a profession, business, or other commercial capacity, the following collection fee schedules apply:
- 15% on the first €20,000 of the outstanding debt.
- 10% of the amount between €20,000 and €40,000.
- 8% on the amount between €40,000 and €100,000.
- 6% on the amount exceeding €100,000.
- These costs are due immediately and must be paid by the Participant upon SLL’s first request.
B – Individuals (non-consumers):
For individuals who are not acting as consumers but, for example, as self-employed professionals, out-of-court collection costs are calculated in accordance with the Decree on Compensation for Out-of-Court Collection Costs. This decree provides a standardized method for calculating the maximum compensation based on the amount of the outstanding debt.
Please note:SLL provides services exclusively to business customers and not to consumers. Any references to natural persons relate solely to their business or professional capacities, such as self-employed entrepreneurs.
4. Claim for costs:
- The collection fees specified above are due immediately and must be paid by the Participant upon SLL’s first request.
- Any judicial or extrajudicial costs arising from the collection of the outstanding debt shall be borne entirely by the Participant.
Cancellations and Changes
- Cancellation by the Participant
- The Participant may cancel the agreement up to two weeks after registration, provided that this is done no later than one week before the start of the program (whichever comes first).
- In the event of a late cancellation or no-show, 100% of the cost will be charged.
- Deposits are non-refundable.
2. Cancellation or change by SLL
- SLL reserves the right to cancel programs or make changes if necessary.
- An alternative date will be offered.
- Or a proportionate portion of the amount paid will be refunded.
- SLL reserves the right to refuse or remove Participants from the program if they repeatedly fail to comply with the agreed terms.
3. Duration and Termination of Membership
- Membership has a standard term of one year, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
- At the end of this period, the agreement terminates automatically, without the need for notice.
Liability
9.1 Effort and Diligence:SLL strives to provide its services to the best of its ability and to compile the information provided with the utmost care. However, SLL’s services are intended to support personal and professional development and are not intended to provide specific legal, financial, strategic, or other professional advice.
9.2 Participant’s personal responsibility:
- The Participant acknowledges that the information, insights, and methods provided are general guidelines and tools, and do not replace tailored professional advice.
- It is entirely the Participant’s responsibility to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in a correct and appropriate manner in his or her personal or professional context.
- The use of this information is entirely at your own risk. SLL cannot be held liable for any consequences resulting from decisions made by the Participant based on the information provided.
- Limitation of Liability:
- SLL’s liability for direct damages is limited to a maximum of the amount paid for the relevant agreement in the calendar year in which the event giving rise to the damages occurred.
- If a court deems this amount to be insufficient, SLL’s liability shall in any event be limited to the amount paid out by SLL’s insurer in that specific case.
- Exclusion of indirect damages:
- Under no circumstances shall SLL be liable for indirect damages. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Business downtime or other economic losses.
9.5 Exclusion of further obligations:
- Except for the compensation mentioned above, SLL is not liable for any other form of compensation on any grounds whatsoever.
- This exclusion applies unless there is intent or willful recklessness on the part of SLL’s management.
9.6 No warranties:
- SLL makes no guarantees regarding the results that the Participant may achieve by using the services. Results depend on a wide range of factors, including the Participant’s own efforts and choices.
9.7 Indemnification by the Participant:
- The Participant shall indemnify SLL against all claims by third parties arising out of or in connection with the application or use of information, insights, or materials provided by SLL.
Force Majeure
- In the event of force majeure (such as pandemics, IT failures, or natural disasters), SLL may suspend or modify its obligations.
- If a force majeure situation lasts longer than six months, the Participant has the right to terminate the agreement.
Recruitment and competition
- During the program, the Participant may not actively recruit other participants for competing services without SLL’s written consent.
- Any violation will result in an immediately payable fine of €25,000 per incident.
Data Management and Access Control
SLL ensures strict data management:
12.1 Access rights within the organization
- Administrative staff: Access to contract and payment information.
- Trainers and coaches: Access to training information and relevant personal data.
- IT Management: Access to technical data for management and security purposes.
- Executive management: access to all information.
12.2 Supervision and control
- Access rights are managed by the IT department.
- The Security Officer (SO) oversees compliance with privacy and security policies.
Intellectual Property and References
SLL places great importance on protecting its name, trademarks, and reputation. To prevent confusion among the public and misuse of the trademarks, the following rules apply to all Participants. These rules are essential and form an integral part of the terms and conditions.
13.1 Permitted Use of Names and Trademarks
- The Participant may mention their participation in SLL programs.
- Upon completion of a membership or program, the Participant may state that he or she has completed it.
- The use of the official SLL logo is permitted only when accompanied by such a statement, provided that the logo is used correctly and does not cause confusion.
Prohibition on misleading claims:
- The Participant may not state, imply, or give the impression that he or she is certified as a “Straight-Line Coach” or holds any other coaching or training position recognized by SLL, unless SLL has provided explicit written permission to do so.
- The use of the terms “Straight-Line Coach,” “Inner Stance,” or any variations thereof is strictly prohibited without prior permission.
13.2 Review and Approval of Communications
- Concerns about statements:
- If there is any doubt regarding the acceptability of a statement, the Participant must submit it to SLL for approval in advance.
- SLL determines whether a statement violates the rules or could cause confusion among the public.
- SLL applies the principles of reasonableness and fairness when evaluating statements and always provides a rationale for its decision.
13.3 Violation of the rules
- Removing or modifying posts:
- The Participant is required to immediately remove or modify any content that violates these rules upon SLL’s first request.
- In the event of a violation of the rules, the Participant shall, without notice of default, be liable to pay a fine of €500 per incident, plus €500 for each day or part thereof that the violation continues.
- This penalty does not affect SLL’s right to claim additional damages or to enforce compliance with the terms and conditions.
13.4 General Scope of Application
- These guidelines apply to all communications, both online (e.g., social media, websites) and offline (printed materials, verbal communication).
- The Participant agrees to comply with these rules and to act in accordance with the objective of protecting SLL’s trademark rights and reputation.
Other provisions
- In the event of any conflict between these terms and conditions and any written agreements contained in the contract, the written agreements shall prevail.
- Any invalid provisions shall be replaced by valid provisions that most closely reflect the original intent.
- Provisions that, by their nature, are intended to remain in effect after the termination of the agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
Dispute Resolution
All agreements are governed by Dutch law. In the event of a dispute, the parties will endeavor to reach a mutually agreed-upon solution. If this is not possible, the District Court of Limburg, Roermond division, shall have exclusive jurisdiction.
Straight-Line Leadership Group B.V. and Straight-Line Leadership Benelux B.V. thank you for your trust.