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It's
Business
Sandra Hartle
1/21/2003
Building
a business
Starting
a new business is never easy, in fact it is much harder than working
8-5. Most people start out thinking that they are going to make
lots of money after doing a little work, when in fact the opposite is
most likely going to be true.
Business
relationships are different from personal relationships, or at least
they should be. In business it is necessary to hold everyone
accountable for the activities that they are responsible for, and
being accountable means keeping a schedule and being on time.
Personal relations are seldom affected by someone not doing what they
promise, however business relationships can be seriously affected by
that same failure to perform.
When
people decide to form a business there are many things that they must
consider and one is following through on those items that will be
considered a legal and binding documentation of their agreement with
others in any particular group. Papers must be signed to be
legal, without signatures on the paperwork there is no legal claim if
someone does not follow through. Contracts must be written
and followed, outlining responsibilities and expectations clearly.
Businesses
do not function if there is not equal participation by all those
involved. If some members think that they are fully vested
in a group, but are not willing to put in the hours to make the group
work, then there is going to be some serious disagreements.
Equality means more than equal investment, it means equal time spent,
equal devotion, and equal dedication. If a business is any
kind of partnership all partners must share a common vision.
If
a business is a sole proprietorship, then one individual can lead
those they employ to follow the vision they have set for their
business. If they don't tow the mark, then they can be
dismissed.
If
a business is a partnership both partners must share the same vision,
and the same dedication. For one to believe that the other will
do all the work, and when the time comes share all the profits is what
we currently call a day dream.
Many
marriages break up over such matters as well, because like a business
a marriage is a partnership. Both partners bring their
personalities to the relationship, and in most cases whatever baggage
they have from their past as well.
Some
people are organized and well disciplined in their life, and often
such people succeed at whatever they set out to do. Other's are
undisciplined, disorganized and inclined to make excuses for what they
failed to do, instead of performing. They are in general those
who make up 90% of the American work force.
When
you are employed by a company, you will often be required to sign an
employment contract. This is especially true if you are
working for commissions rather than a pay check. In any business
where there are commissions involved, you may find that you work for
long hours and in some cases many weeks before you even see your first
paycheck. But if you are consistent, and treat your employment
as an opportunity to set your own wages, and earn what you think you
are worth, then you will succeed.
If
you are more inclined to let everyday life get in your way, you are
doomed to failure. Everyone has problems in their life.
Some have cars that are continually breaking down, others have
children who have the delightful ability to toss a well planned day
into total chaos because they failed to inform you they have a fitting
for their sports uniform, or some other activity that was not
scheduled into your plans. This is life, and it should not
in anyway become an excuse for failing to follow through if your dream
is to be self employed.
Working
from home has it's own distractions. Friends drop bye to see
you, children need attention, you want to get that last load of cloths
folded before you start working and suddenly you are exhausted.
And another day goes bye without getting to the job of building your
business.
If
you are a business owner, and an employee does not show up for a month
or more, having called in saying, I need a couple of weeks.
Would that employee still be working for you? I think not.
So why is it that in business some people feel that being a partner
means that they can disappear for a month or more, without contact and
all will be okay when they suddenly reappear?
I
have had this happen with Real Estate agents I hired to work in my
office, they come in work for a month or so, make a single sale.
When they get their first check instead of doubling up on their work,
using the money to make their business grow, they take a month off and
make a down payment on a new car, that they haven't a clue how they
are going to pay for, since they haven't seen the inside of the office
in weeks.
I
have seen it with the online business venture as well, they start out
for a few days writing advertising (which quickly gets pushed out of
sight without attention), and then they kick back for a month and
wonder why there are not tons of checks rolling in as promised by the
group they joined. The only thing that comes free in this
life, may be the rewards of a lottery ticket, but it certainly is not
the way to build a business.
Hanging
on when it is over
Some
people refuse to take responsibility for their own behavior.
They simply think that what they did was more than enough and if the
others involved don't like it, tough. When things go bad they
start complaining, and making excuses. They don't want to do
what it takes to make a good sound business but they don't want to let
go either.
In
fact in most cases if someone is forced to look at the way they
haven't performed they turn around and make it the other person's
fault. They complain to everyone - everywhere, and when they
have finally worn out their welcome because of their whining once
again they don't understand why. And they often stretch
the truth of what happened. In some cases they outright lie.
This is known as slander and there have been some very large
settlements paid for this behavior over the years.
When
people go about the business of talking about others, without having
the facts, if they are called on it they had better be able to produce
the proof.
Business
is a very touchy thing, and should always be taken very seriously.
If you enter into a business and make commitments to perform certain
activities, it is always a good idea to follow through. Some
people realizing they will not be able to follow through simply
resign, other's will insist that they have every right to continue,
despite their lack of effort. Some won't pay their way, or do
the work, and after a two month absence will think they should be
welcomed back with open arms. This is delusional at best, and
very naive.
So
if you are inclined to mix friendship with business, make sure that
you are really willing to lose your friendships. Because if he
or she is serious and you are not, you will surely lose both.
Take your money and go to the horse races, your chances of succeeding
are higher than if you expect someone to carry you along.
Sandra Hartle
Email: sandrahartle@juntosociety.com
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