Your Partnership is Great...You Say. Here's How You Can Be Sure.

You may actually be in a pretty good partnership, even one that's lasted for years. So why do I suggest that you take a closer look anyway, with the help of a coach, at least once a year?

Having a third party expert review the way you function as a partnership will bring to light the blind spots. And, believe me, they are there. We can't see ourselves objectively. It is the same reason the greatest athletes need a coach to point out weak spots. A golfer, for example, cannot see his/her own swing.

We often get in the habit of maintaining a facade that "everything's ok". It is often easier to ignore conversations about potentially uncomfortable Issues. However, this can very detrimental to the health of the partnership in the long run.

This type of check up session will enable the small annoyances or "slight" resentments that are there to be brought out in a safe environment so they can be dealt with in a friendly, healthy manner and nipped in the bud. Resentments tend to fester if they are not addressed. Maybe the festering will be slow enough to go unnoticed. However, many seemingly successful, long-lasting partnerships have ended painfully and expensively in court. Resentments fester beyond repair if ignored. A check up session at regular intervals, once or twice a year, can prevent that from happening.

Periodically coaching of a functioning partnership also helps to identify ways in which partners deal well with the business issues and with each. When you know what you are doing right, you can consciously put those methods in your toolbox, build on them and pull them out when things get a little rough. In the process, additional new and even better ways can be created and strategized. There is always room to improve. If you can't see what you are doing wrong, you may also miss what you are doing right.

The most important tool to successful partnership relationships is to communicate. That is a word that merits definition. Communication, for the most part, is effective listening. The goal is not to make your case, or to get your way, but to really deeply hear and respect your partner’s point of view.

A periodic tune up with a third party expert facilitating the discussion can ensure long-term success for any partnership.

Suggestions:
Ask yourself 2 questions: Is there something I am avoiding speaking to my partner about because it feels too painful, annoying, or confrontational? What do I suspect my partner is avoiding bringing up for one of those same reasons?

Book a check-up session.

Here are some additional tools I suggest for you:

If you are considering a partnership or would like to go back and do some of the thoughtful work you skipped before becoming partners get the 15 very important questions to ask yourself and your partner for only $14.95.
www.coachingforyournextlevel.com ....click on business partners in the left menu.

Invest in yourselves by purchasing the Blueprint package including the “What If” Scenarios, the 7C's Danger Signs to Avoid and other bonuses. See the description at www.businesspartnershipsolutions.com. At an introductory price of $497 you will get a very worthwhile return on this small investment.

If you are a coach to entrepreneurs who may be in a partnership or considering one, you can use these tools in your process of coaching them. More tools to come....

You have made a serious investment, both financially and emotionally to create this business. Do everything you can to make it a joyful success.

Feel free to email your comments and questions.
info@businesspartnershipsolutions.com