| Are you looking for a business partner? What are | | | | quote for over a million dollars of business. The |
| the ideal qualities one should look for in a business | | | | whole process from initial quotation, trialling our |
| partner? I was reflecting on this today and this | | | | products to securing the business took a further |
| article is based on my personal business history. | | | | three months. They only gave us a chance to |
| In my business experience I have learnt that the | | | | quote because of his persistence. |
| qualities I look for in a friend are not the same as | | | | The ideal business partner should also have the |
| the qualities I would look for in a business partner. | | | | same commitment to business as you. In one of |
| In many cases your friends could possibly make | | | | my previous businesses I had a partner (also a |
| the worst partners! | | | | friend) who was very lazy. This created a lot of |
| The ideal business partner is someone who | | | | friction in the business and almost broke our |
| possesses skills that you do not have. This makes | | | | friendship. |
| the business stronger by enhancing the qualities | | | | Whatever you do, do not go into business with a |
| you can bring to the table in any discussion, | | | | person who has a short fuse. People who lose |
| negotiation and meeting. It also helps greatly if | | | | their tempers quickly are much harder to get on |
| they are financially very strong and can bring | | | | with in the long term. One business I was closely |
| further resources to the table if required. | | | | associated with had two partners who both had |
| In my previous business my brother was one of | | | | bad tempers. Even though their business had |
| my partners. He was exceptionally good at art | | | | great potential it ended up failing due to their |
| and design. He created our first brochure and our | | | | aggressive behaviour towards each other. |
| website. He helped to create the brand image for | | | | If you are going into a business relationship with |
| our company. I was good at creating and holding | | | | somebody you do not really know then it is a |
| together the team so that the business could | | | | great idea to carry out a credit check on the |
| grow. Together we created a highly profitable | | | | individual. If the person has a high credit score this |
| company employing over 45 people. | | | | says a lot about their values. |
| I believe that the type of partner one should look | | | | Their hobbies and the organisations they belong to |
| for is someone who is highly enthusiastic about | | | | can also help you to understand the person's true |
| life. Enthusiasm is infectious and can help you to | | | | character. Speak to other members of these |
| stay motivated when times are tough. I also like | | | | organisations to find out more about the person |
| people who are full of ideas and can see | | | | you are considering. It might be a good idea if |
| opportunity where others can not. | | | | somebody else carried out this research on your |
| I admire people who refuse to take no for an | | | | behalf. |
| answer. Persistence is a great quality and often it | | | | If you do end up with an ideal business partner |
| can be successful. In my previous packaging | | | | who agrees with your plans, goals and ethos of |
| company my partner called the largest company | | | | the company it should accelerate your growth. |
| in Dundee - NCR (National Cash registrars) every | | | | Working with a business partner will provide you |
| three months for over four years only to be told | | | | with more business opportunities as opposed to |
| to go away. "Do not call us, we will call you" was | | | | working by yourself. Together, you can come up |
| the standard response. | | | | with twice the business ideas and trade leads. |
| In the fifth year they did call us and asked us to | | | | |