I'm not saying this goes for everyone, you might actually have the healthy kind of relationship with your friends where you can cuss them off-no grudges held, separate your weekend jaunts from business days, then by all means hire your friends.
The reason I'm writing this post was because...(and I'm ashamed to say it because I consider myself to be intellectual on some level-just you know...with bad entertainment choices...) I was watching "Real Housewives of Orange County" (what can I say-I was flipping channels, landed on that one and the remote battery fell out...on numerous occasions heheheh)
In this particular episode the newest housewife for this season is an actress on sabbatical to raise her family, who misses the bustling joys of work..therefore she and 6(yes count it 1,2,3,4,5,6!) of her girlfriends are looking to open a restaurant.
The new housewife took two of the old housewives who had been there for many seasons with her to a lunch with two of her soon to be business partners, where they met with the owner of a successful restaurant, who gave them advice on how to go about building their business. One housewife is a successful business woman in her own right, running an insurance company.
If any of you have ever watched the show, its really a cat fight with a lot of back story going on. The women always have some sort of beef with each other. So of course when the new housewife asked the other two housewives what they thought about the business proposition, the experienced businesswoman, her thoughts on the matter..."six female friends starting a business...RUN!!"
Ok...while I'm sure that had to do with the fact that they were women more so than friends....friends or family going into business shouldn't be taken lightly. Don't believe because its friends or family that any problems that will arise will be sorted out because at the end of the day who can stay mad with familial blood running through your veins or years of crashing at someones house should get you through the bad times.
In all honesty if you are going into business with family or friends you need to have it all in writing...that's if you are entering into a partnership. If its a case where you are the boss and hiring your friend to work under you boundaries need to be put in place and although this may sound harsh, feelings take a back seat to business.
If your friend is doing a bad job, don't keep them on in hopes that your friendship will turn them around...fire that sucka.
Family may be a bit more difficult...after all you may have to sit at the dinner table with them after you fire them.
This can all be avoided though if you employ one of the crucial entrepreneurial skills...communication. This is the part of the business where you shouldn't play poker...lay all your cards out on the table and let your friend or family member do the same.
Let them know what is expected of them, just as you would any other employee you hire, without years of history together. And probably the most important thing to remember...don't compromise your business for the sake of keeping the peace.
They aren't your friends or family when you hire them, they are your employees or partners and if the well being of the business isn't a part of their agenda, be strong and do what you have to to ensure your livelihood stays strong.
sounds selfish...maybe...but then again your true friends or loving family members will do their best to see you succeed and it may never come to that.
Leave your arguments at the door and never bring it to the workplace.
Work on separating the regular life from the work life and you could possibly have a a successful business with your friends or family.
As you pointed out, this can lead to damaging relationships. In the long run, you may have to fire them for the business's sake, but there is a big chance they will hold a grudge and never speak to you again, if that is the case, before you even enter into business, be ready for this as an outcome.
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