It’s been a hectic few months at my companies (MindPillar and Adeena). New developments … new people, new issues, new projects, new season, many conferences and still a lot of hard work.
One thing that hasn’t changed is the personal/business dynamic that comes from having 3 partners often having very differing viewpoints. And thats after I define it as a good thing.
It’s often noticed how business partnerships either lead to hits (Google, Microsoft, HP) or complete failures (6 out of 7 startups shut-down in their first year, though some do for other reasons too).
In all this mess, it’s interesting (to me atleast) how me and my business partners can take a topic, fight about it for a while, end up trying sell and out-sell each other, bid and out-bid each other and generally act as far extreme as possible. However, what makes it all worthwhile is that at the end of the day there is a simple idea helping us decide … this is not personal, it’s business. And what is the best thing for the company?
Ho…Hum… Another day, another discussion, another profitable resolution!
21 Oct 2005 at 2:12 pm
Allow me to make a suggetion. Out of experience I can tell you that such partnerships may result in resentment.
Maybe you and your partners should divide the decision making powers in terms of departments i.e. advertising, marketing, HR, etc
Each one of you may have the final say in particular sector. It is not to say that the other partners won’t have an input.
http://consultancyissues.blogspot.com/
21 Oct 2005 at 6:54 pm
In my company, for example, there is a clear understanding of who is responsible for what … operations … finances … development … sales … marketing … support.
But we all want to play the role of a business-owner. Not just a VP of Sales or VP of Operations.
Resentment can/does arise.
However, even in the midst of this resentment, we work towards showing a common face to the outside world.
Reminds me of the entire reason the Don was shot, in Godfather 1 … because his son showed his resentment OUTSIDE the core group. As long as we can control that, we can control our business better.