Picking a Partner

So, I am currently in the process of working on about five different business ventures.  And sadly, I’m not the type of person who keeps it cool and thrives under high-pressured situations.  Sure, I can adapt and excel, but these are not my ideal circumstances.

However, when doing so much at once, you can’t help but be a little crunched for time and resources and end up overwhelmed.  With stress being the last thing I’d like to have running through my veins, I fortunately have a few partners who are under the heat with me. And I’ve found great benefit in turning to them for support.

Going into a new venture with a partner can be your greatest asset.  Even if you’re a perfectionist, managing an entire project from start to finish is no easy feat.  Even quick conversations with my partners give me instant relief, in knowing that I am not going at it alone.  

A good partner is your ultimate source for brainstorming, troubleshooting and executing your endeavor. After working with many people and projects over the years, here are 3 things that I believe every great partner must be:

Reliable.
This may seem like a no-brainer but you wouldn’t imagine how easy it is to get involved in joint-ventures with people who you wouldn’t trust picking up your clothes from the cleaners.

But of course, you don’t know this at the onset.  They talk a good talk, have the greatest ideas you’ve ever heard, but when deadlines are approaching and moves are to be made, they can’t be found.

Although many people may have good hearts or even good talent, if you cannot trust them without having to look over their shoulders or check up on them every single day, you may want to rethink partnering with them.

When approaching a potential partner, be sure to get a good sense of their availability and time constraints.  If they already have a lot going on, chances are they won’t be able to provide the amount of time that you desire.

Additionally, make sure you take note of their best forms of communication.  In any relationship, lack of effective communication can lead to damaging results.  If you know the best way to reach them, the more dependable become.  

Balanced.
When looking for a partner, it is always smart to assess your personal strengths and weaknesses.  Knowing what you already offer and what can be added will give you insight into the type of person you need to make your venture a success.  
If your natural way of thinking is narrow or targeted, it might be a good idea to bring on someone who can look at the bigger picture.  This could help you expand and explore options you’d have never thought of on your own.

If you’re a behind the scenes type of person, it might be a good idea to have a partner who doesn’t mind being the project’s spokesperson.  They can handle speaking to participants, sponsors, consumers and press, while you cover the logistics.  

If you’re terrible with money and barely passed 3^rdgrade math, you’d most definitely want to work with someone who has experience in at least some low level form of college algebra. Even if you hire an outside consultant, it’s still good that one partner have a general understanding of your currency, less you stand the chances of being duped.

Invested.
This one is, by far, the most important.  You must be sure that your partner has just as much to gain or lose as you.  If you’re working with a nonchalant person who is just in it to pass time, they aren’t going to be as passionate about executing the venture as you.  

The last thing you want is to be working long, hard hours alongside a person who’s eating popcorn, watching movies and putting in their two cents every now and then.

Most importantly when something fails, you want someone beside you who will share the same emotion and concern.  And even better, you want someone who cares enough to work to ensure that fatalities are a minimum.

Even if you are passionate about the venture for different reasons, be sure that the level of interest is the same.  

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