There are many forms of Intellectual Assets and every company is encouraged to take on board the enhancement and safe keeping of the matters that make them successful. This is a selection of the items that may be considered worthy of an Intellectual Asset Audit.
Accreditation
Membership of trade organisations or compliance bodies can be fundamental to your ability to trade. For professional service companies such as solicitors and accountants it may be obvious but building maintenance companies or their staff may need Corgi registration or membership of Federation of Master Builders Other compliance to business systems and processes such as industrial standards (ISO, BSS), regulatory requirements (FDA, MCA), and business outcomes (IIP) may also be fundamental.
Know and Show How
May include demonstration activities such as maintenance, production process, training etc. Customer care, operating manuals and help lines are assets in electronic, verbal or text media.
Technical Info
The ability to overcome problems or create solutions for customers is a core competance for any business. It is usually grounded in the skills and knowledge with in the company and its staff. It may be documented or inherent but needs safe guarding.
Contracts
Legal agreements such as licenses, leases, contract of employment, distribution agreements, sales contracts, supply agreements etc are all assets. Wether they are verbal or written treat them with respect and help make them work for your business.
Database Rights
May exist in addition or instead of copyright they protects against unauthorised extraction or utilisation of database contents. Setting up a process of injunction or claim for damages if there is an issue can also have an intangible value.
Security
How you insure against risk and minimise risk can be a core assets of your business systems. Physical property insurance may be obvious but the growth of computer and communications issues, back ups and passwords amongst other security issues need protection.