Over the years, I’ve been disappointed and let down by vendors, subcontractors and manufacturers, as well as team members. It’s easy to throw your hands up and fire them, or sever the relationships. But to what end?
You know the saying, “When you point your finger, there are three fingers pointing back at you.” Whenever I become uncorked at someone, I end up doing something as bad or worse within days. Sigh.
What if, instead, we committed to helping each other? What if we shook hands and said, “Hey, we all have business challenges and growing pains. Let’s get good together. Let’s meet to clarify expectations and responsibilities. We can create procedures as we go, to make sure we have a mutually successful relationship.”
Here are 10 tips for getting the most from your partners in business:
1. When selecting a partner, use good recruiting and hiring procedures, just as if you were hiring an employee. Talk to their customers.
2. Meet in person, if possible, and over video chat, if not. It’s always a good idea to look a partner in the eye as you size each other up. Trade shows are good for face-to-face meetings. You can meet at your shop, too.
3. Share your business plans, goals and mission. You don’t have to get into too much detail, but you want to communicate the big picture. Ask them to share theirs, too.
4. Communications should be in writing. Work with a contract and use email to correspond day to day. As my friend and business expert Al Levi says, “Know the way out before you go in.” So, agree to exit options.
5. Establish the flow of communication. Ever sign on with a vendor only to be handed off to someone you have never met? Determine who your contacts will be and what their responsibilities are.
6. Agree to a meeting schedule. I know, I know – another meeting! But meetings eliminate phone tag and emergency texts. Meetings are your opportunity to communicate effectively. Save questions that can wait for the meeting.
7. Clarify goals and timelines. Use your calendar to keep you on track. Promise to tell the truth if you fall in a hole and miss a due date. Let’s get rid of the blaming and the butt-covering. It’s all such a waste of time.
8. Establish some checks and balances. Business icon George Brazil once told me, “Don’t expect what you don’t inspect.” For example, suppose you choose to outsource your payroll. It may take one or two payroll cycles to get it right. Ask your team to double-check their checks. Encourage them to find the holes in the systems.
9. Write procedures as you go. Agree that we are all going to train team members on the procedures, and hold each other accountable.
10. Make lists. Yep, you know that’s what it takes to remember what needs to be done. Be sure to indicate by whom and when.
After all that, if you get off track, get back on. Even with people we know, love and trust, relationships can drift. If the project stalls, or if a “beef” develops, it’s time to meet and clear the air. Be willing to let go of being right, and commit to moving the project forward. There’s no need to trash talk or add to the drama.
Start with the assumption that people are doing the best they can. You can help them get better.
Of course, you could take your business elsewhere. However, are you coming to realize, as I am, that there are no perfect partners out there? That includes me and you.
Ellen Rohr is an author and business consultant offering profit-building tips, trending business blogs and online workshops at EllenRohr.com. Her books include “Where Did the Money Go?” and “The Bare Bones Weekend Biz Plan.” She can be reached at ellen@ellenrohr.com.
