Pick Your Partner, Do-Si-Do!

We used to square dance for P.E (physical education for those under 30!).  I actually liked it a lot. A chance to hold a girls hand. It was 7th grade.  Right at the time where the Cooties morphed into sweaty palms, cotton mouth and a fast heart rate...I wore more Jovan Musk Oil cologne on square dance day! We would be partnered, randomly, and as you would imagine with shallow minded middle school boys, some girls were considered yucky.  The boys would put out one finger out, instead of their whole hand to dance with these girls.  Mean...you better believe it.   Real life...unfortunately. The process of selection had begun. As life goes on, the stakes get raised on the people we choose to be partnered with.  I got extremely lucky (blessed) with my most important selection...my wife...but with other partners...it has been a mixed bag.   In business, I have worked with some amazing people who are top-notch, talented, synergistically minded people who expect everyone to do their part...and take their fair share of the spoils of success.   I have also been connected with people who are on the other end of that spectrum and in my best Forrest Gump voice, "That is all I have to say about that!"   How do you pick a good partner in business?    Here are my Top 10 Things to Find a Good Business Partner

#1 - Similar Goals and Visions.  If you are going into business with a partner or if you are joining an organization, you need to make sure that their vision is your vision.  Make a list with your potential partner and see where it overlaps or review the vision and mission statement from the organization website.  Univision means progress. Division means di-gress...going backwards.    #2 - Complementary Skills and Experience. If everyone is good at the same thing, then the needed Core Competencies will have gaps and voids.  The best partnerships are yin and yang.  You have what they don't...and vice versa.  If you are joining an organization, they should provide access to the things you need to build the necessary skills of success.   #3 - Necessary Resources.  Good ideas take resources to expose and monetize.  This is not simply about money, but other outlets to generate revenue to fund your enterprise.  It could be connections or additional relationships that can propel your business higher.  Make a list of what you have...and what you need, and which of you can meet those needs.   #4 - Good Reputation - Yes, what the world thinks of you and your partner is subjective.  Some people can get great results but their method of getting there differs from your values (see #1).  If you are just getting involved with a person or organization, this can be difficult to ferret out.  Dig deeper into people's "resume"...get references, do background checks.  You are who you associate with and your reputation is on the line...be optimistically cautious.   #5 - Mutual Respect - Another subjective measurement that is largely based on your business intuition.  How do they speak to you, collaborate, receive your ideas and criticism?  For organizations, do they value the relationship and do their best to help you become successful?  Of course, you must hold up your end of the bargain as well.    The rest of the list is coming but begin to review your current relationships against this criteria and evaluate potential partnerships.  The goal is not to stymie you into "paralysis by analysis" but give you what you need to...  Pick Your Partner, Do-Si-Do! Until Tomorrow, I wish you Money, Power, Success!