What percentage of marriages fail?
Given that, just imagine the percentage of business partnerships and outsourcing arrangements that bite the dust.
Without the children to care for and a house about which to argue, the temptation to walk away from business arrangements can be great. Often, there are good reasons to do just that. But how can you plan and implement partnering and outsourcing relationships that last, if not forever, at least well beyond any honeymoon phase?
The ability to partner successfully has become increasingly important in many business endeavors. The need to focus on key areas of expertise, tightened finances and shrinking staffs are just a few of the reasons a businesses increasingly need to use hired guns or partner with other firms to accomplish tasks that might otherwise go undone (or be done poorly).
-Know your partner: In a company or an individual, character matters. It is arguable that more partnerships break down because of interpersonal conflicts or character flaws than because of lack of ability. But also...
-Know your partner's abilities, strengths and weaknesses: It is tempting - for an individual or a company - to stretch the limits and to "go for" new capabilities and areas of expertise. When choosing a partner, tread carefully. How expert and how experienced is your potential partner at what you need to do together? If you select a less expert partner, carefully think through the impact that choice may have on your work together. Enthusiasm can sometime trump experience - but learning curves typically cost time and money. Who will pay for that learning curve?
-Take one step at a time: A hard-learned lesson in taking on complex projects with partners is the need to phase them. Call it what you will, but an exploratory phase is a great way to test a project or a relationship. Phasing a project with a partner allows many check-points and permits you to more clearly see factors including the need for change in course, project expansion or retracting. It also allows you to see mission creep, a sometimes fatal blight for big projects. This doesn't mean you can't enter into a long-term partnership arrangement, just that you need frequent directional checks, most of which should be done as a team.
-Have some respect: When you pick the right partner and make the right arrangements, that partner will bring real expertise to the table and will become invested in working with you. Build mutual respect and always remember that "any job looks easy to the person who doesn't have to do it himself." You don't have to be blind or foolish - but be a good partner.
-Make the right arrangements: Good fences build good neighbors. Dual sinks in the master bathroom keep couples happier. (?) Solid contracts facilitate better business partnerships. Take the time to build a clear, mutually agreeable, beneficial contract.
-Win-win beats win-lose: At least in partnerships, win-win is best. Quash the impulse to triumph at the unfair expense of others. You'll enjoy stronger and longer partnering arrangements. You may sleep better at night, too.
