As you look for a business partner, you start by seeking someone that you get along with. This naturally means that you gravitate toward people that are the same as you. They have the same interests and the same hobbies. You may even be thinking about going into business together because you’re both interested in the same industry.
All of this can be helpful, especially if the two of you need to get along and see things the same way for the business to succeed. But it can be a problem if you find someone who is too similar to you and doesn’t bring any unique qualities to the company.
Qualities you lack
One of the biggest things you want to look for when you choose a business partner is just someone who has qualities that you lack. Ideally, you will also have some qualities that they lack. By teaming up, you give the business itself a wider range of skills and abilities.
For instance, you may be terrific at working with people, connecting with investors, making sales and networking within the industry. But you may not be as good at running the numbers, balancing the books, coming up with technical designs and much more. Finding someone who can take on those tasks, but who may not be as comfortable with the customer-oriented part of the job, can help you achieve success as a company on both ends.
Working with a business partner can get complicated and may require extra paperwork when starting a business. Make sure you know what legal steps to take to protect your future interests and your business.
