I feel so tired and sad today. First, I tripped over a chair because I am too busy reading a book. The pain was somewhat unbearable but brought up in a family who is serious and doesn’ t like to cause embarrassment, I kept quiet….

I just came across your blog and wanted to drop you a note telling you how impressed I was with the information you have posted here. I also have websites & blogs so I know what I am talking about when I say your site is top-notch! Keep up the great w…

Though I have not started any business yet I consider your advice worth considering.

One thing about both of those examples is that both Google and Yahoo changed out of the partnership model very quickly.

Eric Schmidt runs Google now and Tim Koogle took over as CEO shortly after Yahoo launched (and now Yang is back).

Notice that I’m not saying you shouldn’t work with other people. Sergey and Larry probably have great synergy as peers and colleagues. But there has to be one person at the TOP, a decision hierarchy that ends in one person, or you get the problems I talked about above. Even underneath the CEO, Sergey and Larry are in charge of separate areas. They don’t share responsibility for one area.

Saying “lets both run this thing, and we’ll each make decisions together” I think is always a bad idea. The buck has got to stop with one person.

In the military, they call it a chain of command. During war is not a good time to be unclear about who makes the final decision. I think it’s the same in business.

But like i said I always like to hear other view points, keep the comments coming…
Brian

A business partnership can bring complementary skills and, if you organize yourself properly, will allow you to be exponentially more productive.

Chris Lee’s comment is spot on. Brian, businesses without partnership obviously can work, but a partner that has a vested interested in the business will commit the energy that a consultant or advisor simply can’t.

Chris

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Otherwise you’re right, you’ll need to look for an investor or partner (which are two different things by the way).

If you don’t mind my asking, what type of business are you starting?

Thanks!
Brian

So an almost poor friend/partner is my only chance to get enogh money to invest.

Thats a good analogy. Business partnerships are exactly like romantic relationships. Make sure it’s worth investing in one before taking the plunge, because you’ll end up spending a lot of time in ‘relationship management’ instead of growing your business. Why not lead the company yourself and work with others outside of a partnership?
Brian