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IS_A_BUSINESS_PARTNERSHIP_RIGHT_FOR_YOU
| IS A BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP RIGHT FOR YOU?
I meet prospective entrepreneurs all of the time - through my
church, at my health club, and even at my neighborhood block
party.
One of the most common topics they want to discuss is whether
they should look for a partner to help them start and run their
business.
I know that it can be quite frightening to imagine quitting your
job, investing part of your savings, and handling fifteen
different tasks -- all by yourself!
But is a partnership the right way for you to start your
business?
> The Ups and Downs of A Partnership
There are good reasons to enter into a partnership in business,
and some that can lead to disaster.
- Good Reasons
* Partnering with someone who can provide business-specific
skills, contacts and relationships you feel your business needs,
but which you do not personally possess.
E.G. A person who comes to your business with a highly useful
Rolodex because of 20-years of selling experience in your
intended industry.
* Partnering with someone who can help administer key areas of
activity to permit you to focus more effectively on your area of
greatest strength.
E.G. An individual who is good with numbers, while you love to
work with people in the sales process.
* Someone who is truly committed to sharing the highs and lows
of the business and who will stand by you come thick or thin.
- Bad Reasons
* You need more money than you either can raise yourself, or
feel comfortable putting up all by yourself.
You don't need a legal partner if all you need is money. It is
preferrable to take out a home equity loan or find a private
investor.
* You don't want to do all the work yourself.
If you feel you need additional labor, consider using an outside
contractor, office temporary, a part-time high school kid or a
relative. Do not give up ownership in your business just for
another strong back.
* You are social friends and you think it would be fun to run a
business with them.
A partnership gone bad can end a long-standing friendship very
quickly. This can particularly be true of partnering with a
relative.
> Till Death Do Us Part
Some people say I am being overly dramatic when I compare a
potential business partnership to a marriage. But the
similarities are closer than you might think.
* In a marriage, individual financial resources often become
jointly owned.
- In a partnership, your partner has a legal claim to all of the
current (and most future) business assets.
* In a marriage, you must be willing to give of yourself, even
when it is not always returned.
- In a partnership, one partner can come to feel like they are
doing all the work, but both partners have the right to receive
income.
* In a marriage, when things go bad it can be difficult to split
up.
- In a partnership, when splitting up, the remaining partner can
often face a demand for thousands of dollars from the departing
partner.
> The Path To Partnership Bliss
If you decide after careful reflection on your true motivation
that a partnership is your desired form of legal organization,
then there are some steps I suggest that you take:
1. Create a written partnership agreement, spelling out the
following terms:
* The full legal name of each partner. * The purpose of your
business enterprise. * Detailed description of each partner's
primary functions; and a description of the joint functions. *
Financial controls, such as mandatory signatures of both
partners on any check over $500. * The dollar amount of capital
each partner will invest initially in the business. * The
percentage breakdown on profits and/or losses between partners.
* The personal compensation of each partner and how often it
will be paid (this may be set on an increasing scale as the
business's revenue grows). * What exact business activities must
be approved, in writing, by both partners, e.g. signing a retail
lease agreement. * What process will be used to pay off a
partner who wishes to leave.
2. Have a social get-together with the partners and their
spouses (or significant others) to explain what kind of time
commitment the business will require.
3. Plan at least one face-to-face meeting with your partner each
week during pre-launch planning to review progress.
4. Be genuinely caring and respectful of your partner.
About the author:
Jeff Williams decided to take his career in his own hands by
establishing his practice as a small business trainer and coach.
Since 1988, he has guided more than 3,000 people to successfully
go from employee to boss. He is pleased to offer his free,
monthly telegroup: "Are You Ready To Leave Your Job?". Register
at: http://www.bizstarters.com/ready2leave.cfm Jeff may be
reached at 847-593-5305 or by e-mail at: jeff@bizstarters.com
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