2. Whether you both feel that you want to continue in partnership.

3. What you both would like to do to make this happen.

4. What you both feel are your particular strengths that you can each bring to the business.

5. Do you both feel that the business responsibilities are equally allocated.

6. Are there any suggestions you can both make in order to improve both the business and your respective contributions to it.

7. How you can solve the problems you currently fac

I went into business with a friend of mine a year ago. At first everything was going alright and we were both contributing equally. As time goes by though, I feel like I am shouldering most of the work. How do I get my partner to put in his share of the work and/or how do I call this whole thing off?

Answer

This is a common problem. Firstly what you should do when starting a business with another person – however friendly is set up clear and DOCUMENTED details of each person’s responsibilities, their profit share and financial remuneration. If your friendship means enough to you that you are willing to go into business together then do you want to risk it on a falling out over business.

There are a number of scenarios open to you, but I assume that you want to do one of the following:

1. Remain in the business and increase your partner’s contribution.

2. Sell up or close the business.

3. Buy your partner out and continue with the business on your own.

4. Change the contribution that your partner makes and the corresponding reward/salary/profits that they receive.

Firstly you should try and resolve this matter amicably. Ask your partner to meet you for dinner in a quiet restaurant to discuss your business and how you both want to manage it in the future. Your partner is probably aware that they have not been contributing as much as they have in the past. If your partner is not keen or is afraid that your anger will be expressed, then just point out that you value them as a good friend and do not want to lose such a friendship over business problems that you are sure can be sorted out very easily.

Please remember that your friend could be having problems of their own. Their reason for contributing less may be:

1. They don’t actually realize that they are not contributing as much as they used.

2. They may have family, personal or financial problems.

3. They may feel that you are taking over more work as you prefer to do so.

4. They may feel that you are edging them out of the business.

5. They may have lost interest in the business.

6. They may not be able to do the work they are assigned and are leaving it rather than look inefficient.

7. They may have different ideas to you as to what the business should be doing now and in the future.

For your meeting, please give them time to prepare as well. They may have some comments about your contribution! Are you sure that you are not pushing your partner our, because that is your “take charge” personality? You should have a rough outline of what you want to both talk about. This should include:

1. Where you both see the business progressing for the next year and then in the near future (say year 2 and 3).

2. Whether you both feel that you want to continue in partnership.

3. What you both would like to do to make this happen.

4. What you both feel are your particular strengths that you can each bring to the business.

5. Do you both feel that the business responsibilities are equally allocated.

6. Are there any suggestions you can both make in order to improve both the business and your respective contributions to it.

7. How you can solve the problems you currently face

Raise Your Fees Overnight!
Do you want to make more money?Yes, I guess that is a rhetorical question. Everybody wants to make more money, but oftentimes we are not willing to do what needs to be done in order to make it.For example, I’m not willing to work an 80-hour per week job to double my income. I have a husband and a 1 ? year old son - I want to spend time with them. I want to take vacations and visit my parents on the weekends and host dinner parties for my friends.I
er then do you want to risk it on a falling out over business.

There are a number of scenarios open to you, but I assume that you want to do one of the following:

1. Remain in the business and increase your partner’s contribution.

2. Sell up or close the business.

3. Buy your partner out and continue with the business on your own.

4. Change the contribution that your partner makes and the corresponding reward/salary/profits that they receive.

Firstly you should try and resolve this matter amicably. Ask your partner to meet you for dinner in a quiet restaurant to discuss your business and how you both want to manage it in the future. Your partner is probably aware that they have not been contributing as much as they have in the past. If your partner is not keen or is afraid that your anger will be expressed, then just point out that you value them as a good friend and do not want to lose such a friendship over business problems that you are sure can be sorted out very easily.

Please remember that your friend could be having problems of their own. Their reason for contributing less may be:

1. They don’t actually realize that they are not contributing as much as they used.

2. They may have family, personal or financial problems.

3. They may feel that you are taking over more work as you prefer to do so.

4. They may feel that you are edging them out of the business.

5. They may have lost interest in the business.

6. They may not be able to do the work they are assigned and are leaving it rather than look inefficient.

7. They may have different ideas to you as to what the business should be doing now and in the future.

For your meeting, please give them time to prepare as well. They may have some comments about your contribution! Are you sure that you are not pushing your partner our, because that is your “take charge” personality? You should have a rough outline of what you want to both talk about. This should include:

1. Where you both see the business progressing for the next year and then in the near future (say year 2 and 3).

2. Whether you both feel that you want to continue in partnership.

3. What you both would like to do to make this happen.

4. What you both feel are your particular strengths that you can each bring to the business.

5. Do you both feel that the business responsibilities are equally allocated.

6. Are there any suggestions you can both make in order to improve both the business and your respective contributions to it.

7. How you can solve the problems you currently fac

Business Ethics: How Some Businesses Use Networking Events and Violate Business Ethics and Values
Once again, I experienced why ethics is so critical for today's small business owners and why many small business owners just don’t get it.The other day I was invited to a networking event from someone whom I had just met at another networking event. He said that there would be some time for us to get to know each other better, information presented about his company and there would be opportunity to meet some potential prospects. I asked two very direct question
t in the future. Your partner is probably aware that they have not been contributing as much as they have in the past. If your partner is not keen or is afraid that your anger will be expressed, then just point out that you value them as a good friend and do not want to lose such a friendship over business problems that you are sure can be sorted out very easily.

Please remember that your friend could be having problems of their own. Their reason for contributing less may be:

1. They don’t actually realize that they are not contributing as much as they used.

2. They may have family, personal or financial problems.

3. They may feel that you are taking over more work as you prefer to do so.

4. They may feel that you are edging them out of the business.

5. They may have lost interest in the business.

6. They may not be able to do the work they are assigned and are leaving it rather than look inefficient.

7. They may have different ideas to you as to what the business should be doing now and in the future.

For your meeting, please give them time to prepare as well. They may have some comments about your contribution! Are you sure that you are not pushing your partner our, because that is your “take charge” personality? You should have a rough outline of what you want to both talk about. This should include:

1. Where you both see the business progressing for the next year and then in the near future (say year 2 and 3).

2. Whether you both feel that you want to continue in partnership.

3. What you both would like to do to make this happen.

4. What you both feel are your particular strengths that you can each bring to the business.

5. Do you both feel that the business responsibilities are equally allocated.

6. Are there any suggestions you can both make in order to improve both the business and your respective contributions to it.

7. How you can solve the problems you currently fac

Positioning Mannequins for Store Displays Success
Mannequins are one of the most useful retail store fixtures in existence, but if they are not used effectively there is no use for them at all. The first option to consider after purchasing the right mannequin is where to put it. The positioning of mannequins should be done with creativity and an artful eye. Individual ideas are encouraged in mannequin placement. Anything that will catch the glance of a potential customer is great. Everything should be considered, fr
are taking over more work as you prefer to do so.

4. They may feel that you are edging them out of the business.

5. They may have lost interest in the business.

6. They may not be able to do the work they are assigned and are leaving it rather than look inefficient.

7. They may have different ideas to you as to what the business should be doing now and in the future.

For your meeting, please give them time to prepare as well. They may have some comments about your contribution! Are you sure that you are not pushing your partner our, because that is your “take charge” personality? You should have a rough outline of what you want to both talk about. This should include:

1. Where you both see the business progressing for the next year and then in the near future (say year 2 and 3).

2. Whether you both feel that you want to continue in partnership.

3. What you both would like to do to make this happen.

4. What you both feel are your particular strengths that you can each bring to the business.

5. Do you both feel that the business responsibilities are equally allocated.

6. Are there any suggestions you can both make in order to improve both the business and your respective contributions to it.

7. How you can solve the problems you currently fac

Promoting Your Business Offline
Offline promotion for your Internet business is important. Use traditional marketing channels and media. Incorporate your Website URL (web address), phone number, and mailing address into all of your printed and promotional materials. This increases your penetration into your targeted market, as well as the general population.Business CardsThese are one of the most effective marketing tools. Business cards act as mini billboards that reflect your business im
want to both talk about. This should include:
1. Where you both see the business progressing for the next year and then in the near future (say year 2 and 3).

2. Whether you both feel that you want to continue in partnership.

3. What you both would like to do to make this happen.

4. What you both feel are your particular strengths that you can each bring to the business.

5. Do you both feel that the business responsibilities are equally allocated.

6. Are there any suggestions you can both make in order to improve both the business and your respective contributions to it.

7. How you can solve the problems you currently face.

During the meeting, please remember:

1. Your friendship is important to you.

2. Your business is important to both of you.

3. Don’t accuse your partner.

4. Listen to their side of the subject.

5. Aim to get some agreed resolution – if only how you are going to dissolve the business.

So in summary, be friendly, look for solutions, listen to both sides.