More on Partnerships in Business

I want to make just a couple more points about partnership in business. I once read a good article which suggested that when you take on a new business partner, do it for a trial period under contract. This is really a great idea. First of all, this will be a chance to actually experience what it is like to work with someone. Secondly, the contract can also specify the graduation of certain responsibilities and authority, which will show you how well a given person adapts to the new situation.

After a decent trial period working with your new potential partner, you’ll have a great idea about whether your personal chemistry works in business together. Did their ego pass the test? Sometimes folks come to work in a good organization and you can tell their ego will grow to become a problem after time. They might start out modest, but that’s not when I really feel we are seeing the real person in the situation. They have to get comfortable for us to see the real potential they can add to the organization.

The same could be said of me. If I were to take a job another company, I would enter with my ego in check. After time I would not become an ego maniac, but of course I’d loosen up and hopefully find a balance with others in the new work environment. It is a balance that we must find to make a situation work, and this is especially true when looking for a business partner. The question is, after that period where you become yourself in that situation, can you maintain your ego and professionalism? If so, you may have found your match. You’ll want to give the trial period enough time to really put someone to the test who is settling in to the business.

I have had employees enter into my organization to find after time that they are beginning to act like partners and want more say, but they didn’t contribute anything to the larger business responsibility or expenses. I was put in the uncomfortable position of having to correct them, and this is never nice. Essentially this is a true test of a person as well. Do they know their place? Conversely, it may be that you find an employee who does a great deal of good for you, and their ego may be healthily in check with the situation, so ask yourself, is that employee someone you’d like to make a partner? Could that work?

Modesty is paramount. It shows you a person’s willingness to swallow their own pride, set their ego aside and do something for a greater good of the team.

I hope these few words on finding a business partner have been helpful. If you are obsessed about your business and love it, I must urge you to take the matter of a business partner very seriously. It can make or break you. Good luck finding that special someone.

By P. Saurini