21.   By reaching an agreement, the two companies avoided having a Delaware judge resolve the dispute for them.

22.   By settling with Texas, the tobacco companies avoided a trial that could have produced more embarrassing disclosures.

23.   Companies have avoided paying taxes in Mexico by setting up a parent or an affiliate corporation in an offshore locale.

24.   Companies can avoid a debilitating price war altogether by using one of the following tactics.

25.   Critics of the plan contend that it could allow the company to avoid paying claims related to asbestos and environmental cleanups.

26.   Doctors and hospital administrators say that managed-care companies avoid contracts with physician groups that specialize in costly patients.

27.   Experts, however, say companies should avoid being too manager-heavy and holding those positions up as the only golden carrots.

28.   First, and most obvious, they allow companies to avoid the fees charged by exchanges.

29.   For example, a drug company may avoid certain research, such as vaccines for children.

30.   Full control will also speed decision-making by enabling the company to avoid policy conflicts with minority shareholders, he said.