Source: Unsplash | Sebastian Herrmann
When people think about the structure of a business, they generally envision one person at the top who calls the shots. This person might be the CEO, the founder, or simply, the owner of the business. However, plenty of businesses aren’t set up this way. Indeed, many small companies have multiple owners and business partners who share a stake in the business –– sometimes in a straight 50/50 split. With that in mind, today we’re going to explain how ambitious professionals can establish successful business partnerships and avoid the internal strife that a clash between executives can sometimes cause:
Share a Common Vision
In an ideal world, business partners would share the exact same vision for their company. At the very least, they should be in step with big company policy decisions and workplace culture development. When a company has two owners with contradictory ideas for how it should operate, discord is almost certain to follow. While you don’t have to agree on every little thing, business partners should be on the same page on all major developments.
Have Hard Conversations
Business owners can’t afford to mollycoddle their partners. Rather, if you have a problem, you need to be able to speak with your partner about it in a frank manner. This is why it can be so difficult for family members or friends to go into business together. If you’re not capable of communicating effectively with your business partner, the arrangement will not work long term.
Divide & Conquer
As we’ve established above, business owners really need to be in sync most of the time. Still, business partners often have unique skills that they can each bring to the table. Perhaps you have experience in improving customer service, while your partner specializes in developing new products. The big advantage to having multiple business owners is that such a formation allows them to play to their strengths. So don’t be afraid to divide and conquer when the situation calls for it.
Expect Accountability
The best business partners share equal measures of the workload. In a sense, business partners must hold each other accountable and work to maintain this balance. Holding regular progress meetings –– on a weekly or monthly basis –– will guarantee that both owners stay invested and on task. Remember, it’s impossible for a two-owner business to function at a high level if one owner has lost interest or is no longer capable of performing at their best.
Final Thoughts
Whether your business manufactures jersey barriers or your organization sells life insurance, these four tips will help you and your partner collaborate and delegate effectively. So keep them handy moving forward!