Thinking about starting a business with a loved one? Make sure it's a success both professionally and personally right from the start. How do you do that? Here are answers to the 4 most frequently asked questions about entering into a business relationship with the one you love.
1. How do keep focused on the long term?
Have a clear Vision. Know where you're going and have a solid plan to get there. Take the time to come up with your Vision. It's all important. Without a clear destination, how will you get there? It's like going to the airport to buy a ticket without knowing where you're flying to. When you know where you're headed, the journey will be focused and great fun.
Once you have come up with your vision, share it with others and put it on the wall where you can see it every day.
2. How do we split the different jobs?
Do a personality profile. You might know the other person very well on one level, however when it comes to the work place, personalities do change. A personality profile will help you understand the way the other works and how to work with them. Sure, certain jobs will be obvious, but others may not be. If you are hiring a team, whether it be one or 100 people), have them do a personality profile during the interview process so you can be sure they're the right personality for the job.
3. Should we work in the same office?
Your work space should always provide a comfortable and productive atmosphere for each of you. If for example, one of you prefers a quiet office to concentrate and the other is on the phone most of the time, or likes to listen to music, sharing an office might not be the best option. The same goes if one is neat and the other isn't. Make sure you have some personal space. This will keep you positive as you enter each new workday.
4. How do we separate work from pleasure?
This is the area that really requires discipline. Create a timetable and schedule time for your normal tasks. This will make your days more productive than just starting each day wondering what to do first, second or third. Once your routine tasks are scheduled, add in dinner out, theatre, walks, and time to just shut off. And DO shut off. Working together is challenging when it comes to work/life balance. It's necessary to set aside the time for yourselves.
When you start out, it's easy to think that everything will just fall into place and that it will just happen. There is a danger that it won't. Take the time to plan, learn about each other's work habits, create a positive work environment and most of all, enjoy the experience! Your success will follow.
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