You can't do everything on your own, though everyone knows you try.
You've been working so hard at your business, forgoing sleep for an inhumane amount of time! But you're going to need to sleep someday, and you'll have to get some help.
I've learned a few things from working with so many small businesses that hire family members or friends, so I thought I'd pass these tips along.
• Blood runs thinner than water when you run a business.
It sure is nice to have your family around when the tidings are joyous.
When things are looking up, it's nice to have familiar faces around you and to toast your success.
These are the people who are truly happy for you and not just because you pay them to be.
However, what happens when problems arise? Who should take the blame? What if the mistake is traced to the negligence of your younger brother who forgot to update the manufacturer on the clients' new requests? You chalk up a huge loss and end up having a bulk of products that can only be distributed as white elephants.
• Friendships are a delicate commodity.
It's an unspoken rule that one should not go into a business with his friends because it can give rise to dicey situations.
Let's say you've given a job to your friend.
How do you tell a friend that she needs to be more professional? You might have hired a friend, but sometimes it feels as if you've hired a boss.
She deals out unsolicited advice, because she feels like "you're a sister to me too.
" Because you're friends, she might take on the supervisory role of commanding your other employees around.
When she makes a mistake, you let it slide because the two of you grew up together! This causes displeasure with your staff, who think that you're playing favorites or encouraging nepotism.
You hesitate about sitting your friend down and giving a pep talk with regards to her inappropriate behavior.
• Working with people you love.
Some entrepreneurs are more comfortable working with people they know and have mutual trust with.
If you are the type of business owner who has a strictly platonic relationship with your business, then bringing your family and friends on board is a mistake.
As a boss, when you meet with unpleasant situations, you have to make snap decisions.
Family ties and emotional bonds can hinder making these decisions.
You now have to factor in the risk of burned bridges with your life companions.
And that makes for a pretty uncomfortable Thanksgiving table! After all that's said and done, I'm not here to discourage you from working with your family or friends.
It can turn out to be a very beneficial, win-win situation.
Friends and family are the ones who will be there at the beginning and still be there at the end.
You can't say the same for employees these days, what with the high turnover rates and all.
If you've weighed the pros and cons and decided that you are better together than apart, it's time to take things to a professional level.
In Part 2 of this article, I'll show you just how you derive an ideal working relationship with your cherished ones.
You've been working so hard at your business, forgoing sleep for an inhumane amount of time! But you're going to need to sleep someday, and you'll have to get some help.
I've learned a few things from working with so many small businesses that hire family members or friends, so I thought I'd pass these tips along.
• Blood runs thinner than water when you run a business.
It sure is nice to have your family around when the tidings are joyous.
When things are looking up, it's nice to have familiar faces around you and to toast your success.
These are the people who are truly happy for you and not just because you pay them to be.
However, what happens when problems arise? Who should take the blame? What if the mistake is traced to the negligence of your younger brother who forgot to update the manufacturer on the clients' new requests? You chalk up a huge loss and end up having a bulk of products that can only be distributed as white elephants.
• Friendships are a delicate commodity.
It's an unspoken rule that one should not go into a business with his friends because it can give rise to dicey situations.
Let's say you've given a job to your friend.
How do you tell a friend that she needs to be more professional? You might have hired a friend, but sometimes it feels as if you've hired a boss.
She deals out unsolicited advice, because she feels like "you're a sister to me too.
" Because you're friends, she might take on the supervisory role of commanding your other employees around.
When she makes a mistake, you let it slide because the two of you grew up together! This causes displeasure with your staff, who think that you're playing favorites or encouraging nepotism.
You hesitate about sitting your friend down and giving a pep talk with regards to her inappropriate behavior.
• Working with people you love.
Some entrepreneurs are more comfortable working with people they know and have mutual trust with.
If you are the type of business owner who has a strictly platonic relationship with your business, then bringing your family and friends on board is a mistake.
As a boss, when you meet with unpleasant situations, you have to make snap decisions.
Family ties and emotional bonds can hinder making these decisions.
You now have to factor in the risk of burned bridges with your life companions.
And that makes for a pretty uncomfortable Thanksgiving table! After all that's said and done, I'm not here to discourage you from working with your family or friends.
It can turn out to be a very beneficial, win-win situation.
Friends and family are the ones who will be there at the beginning and still be there at the end.
You can't say the same for employees these days, what with the high turnover rates and all.
If you've weighed the pros and cons and decided that you are better together than apart, it's time to take things to a professional level.
In Part 2 of this article, I'll show you just how you derive an ideal working relationship with your cherished ones.
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