Have you ever asked yourself how to choose the right business partner?
What Makes for a Successful Business Partnership
I have been asked over the years how my business partner, Robert J. Weese (Bob) and I became partners, and why is it that our partnership works so well, even after all these years.
In so many ways, Bob and I are the same, yet completely different. We each have different strengths, and weaknesses. We also each excel at different aspects of running our business.
There are certain tasks that Bob loves to do in our day to day operations, and certain things he detests, which, as luck would have it, and the opposite of mine. Our business philosophy is in sync and our goals are aligned, but neither one of us has all the skills or the desire to do everything it takes to fulfill them.
The same is true for all all success business partnerships. As Bob will attest and has documented in his book, How To Find, Recruit & Manage Independent Sales Agents, sales agents and independent resellers often abandon a product not because of issues with the product, but because of the problems caused by the manufacturer or principal they must deal with.
Why Do Some Business Partnerships Work and Others Don’t
But seriously, how did Bob and I get here? Why do some partnerships work and other don’t. Why are some companies wildly successful at expanding into new markets and increasing sales with an alternate sales channel model, and why do other companies fail miserably when they use independent sales agents?
Did we unknowingly follow some process that defined our business partnership? More importantly, is that process repeatable? I never really thought about that aspect of our partnership before until I read the book, “Leverage Your Laziness! – How to do what you love, ALL THE TIME!” by Jeff Goldberg & Steve Bookbinder.
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I was hesitant to read this book at first because of the title. I have never been a “lazy” person nor do I have any desire to be. But as the old saying goes, you can’t judge a book by it’s cover.
This is an excellent read giving solid business advise. You will learn how to figure out what it is you really want to do in life and then develop a plan to start doing it. The section on how to find the right business partner for you alone is worth the read!
The Bottom Line on How to Choose the Right Business Partner?
So what’s the bottom line on how to choose the right business partner? When I think about it, the answer to why Bob's and my business partnership works so well is simple. Bob and I each bring something different to the table. It’s the combined effect that gives us what we need to run a successful business.
Quite literally, the whole is greater than the sum of our parts. How we got here is a repeatable process that you too can use to find the perfect partner, be it to help you run your business or your sales channel.
Aim Higher!
Susan A. Enns, B2B Sales Coach and Author of Action Plan For Sales Success and Action Plan For Sales Management Success
Whether it's accelerating your LinkedIn networking, creating an email drip marketing campaign, making your introductory phone calls, or a combination of the above, B2B Sales Connections develops the most effective lead generation program, customized for you to grow your business.
