Collaborations

It is always exciting when those close to you get excited for your business ideas, and even better if they want to join in (goodness knows the help would be fantastic).

But, just because someone is your friend, or they have shown interest in your business – does not automatically mean they are a good business partner.

And the longer you leave it to set the boundaries and expectations of the working relationship - and most importantly, how that may differ from the personal relationship - the more difficult it is to broach the subject, when it may be having a real impact on your business.

Whether it is a preference for a different business strategy, going after customers that you don't feel are right for your product or service, or just not doing the tasks that they need to do - those conflicts can be heavily impacted by the messy line between personal and business.

Collaboration is a fantastic way to begin any business – but factor in and talk about what would happen if you begin to go in creatively different ways at the very beginning.

Set the methods of communication that will be used when you are talking as business partners and when you are talking as mates.

It is way better to be open and transparent with the way the relationship will work, than think that you will somehow figure it out in the background.

Because it is unlikely to calm down once things get really busy - particularly at the point where you don't have time for a break in communication.