Partnerships, in life and in business, make the world go around. When they’re good, they’re very very good. and when they’re bad, they’re horrid.*
Today, I’m thinking about business partnerships — those I’ve had for years and those I’ve had for just a few weeks and, in one instance, just days.
I work hard to be a good partner with clients … but honestly it’s not hard work, because I’m wired to focus on others. (No brag, just fact.) Most of the time, this natural inclination serves me well; other times, it’s made me not pay attention to what I needed in the business relationship, which had consequences.
If you’re just starting out in the business world and want to learn some keys to successful partnerships — or if you’re a more experienced partner wanting to up your game, read my road-tested pointers for perfecting partnerships.
As the Ford Tagline Used to Say, “Quality is job 1.”
Successful business partnerships have several quality aspects to them — the overall quality of the relationship; the quality of the work being done or the value that’s exchanged in the partnership; and the quality of the partner’s knowledge, words and deeds.
The perception of a quality anything (a relationship, product, experience, etc.) is one that’s typically built over time, where each recurring interaction or experience builds on the existing perception. If the partnership hits a bump in the road, the partners’ benefit-of-the-doubt relationship should kick in, which helps partners withstand those bumps — meaning, if one of them makes a mistake, misses an opportunity or says something that’s out of character, the relationship will remain strong and intact because it’s withstood the test of time.
While nothing is truly perfect, it makes good business sense to strive for perfection in those critical relationships — clients, prospective clients and other key partnerships. (Read on to see why there’s a curl on one of the paper doll’s heads.)
In Partnerships, Fit is Everything.
Business partnerships are initially built when people come together around a shared idea or goal. Personal “fit” is another connecting factor, because we’d rather work with partners where we just click.
I love the brain-to-brain coupling idea in this Why You Click With Certain People article and how it describes that “you know it when it’s there” feeling of fit:
Everything the other person says resonates with you. Your speech rhythms match. Conversation flows like rushing water, unimpeded by a single awkward silence and unruffled by even a moment of annoyance, puzzlement or misunderstanding: the social equivalent of a flawless, gold-medal ski run.
We’ve all had those “we just clicked” moments where we feel like we could be friends or — like what happened to me just last week with a brand-new partner — business buddies for life.
But I bet you have also experienced a partnership that starts out slow or with just so-so potential, but then it gets better over time to become a strong, meaningful relationship. It would seem that an instant fit and one that grows to feel that way are both valuable.
Be the Person Who Never Leaves a Partner Hanging.
Great communication is key to strong business partnerships. It doesn’t feel good to be sitting around wondering if someone got my voicemail, email or text or wondering if they were going to make a key deadline that’s coming up. (You’ve been there, too, right?) Did he receive the message? Did she like or loathe what was said? Is it time to follow up or better to wait a few days? Is our project now on hold, for some reason?
Making an established business partner (or a partnership that’s developing) uncomfortable isn’t smart business. That’s why I try to never put people in that spot, making them wonder what’s what or waiting on some email or action from me. I communicate proactively (maybe, at times, over-communicate), so my partners know where I am with things. And if I don’t have time to respond right away, I send a quick note or text saying I got the message, am busy at the moment or am working on my response and will be in touch.
Do you ever go dark where a business partner can’t get in touch with you? Do you forget to communicate important updates? If so, your partnership could perish — or at least be in a pickle!
Go The Extra Mile Even if Your Feet are Tired.
Some business partnerships have stretched me in ways that test my patience or make me swear to never work with the partner again. I once worked on a client’s website for almost a year instead of the three months it should have taken. Another partner and I missed a key deadline because he couldn’t find time to review a copy draft, despite repeatedly saying he’d get to it. And, yes, I also remember scenarios when I was at fault — like when I forgot to take a step I said I’d to do, which caused some re-work.
Partners can test our patience, for sure. But even if my gut tells me my partner is the one causing the issue, I take the high road, keeping things polite and professional, being proactive where I can and just praying our relationship and shared mission gets back on track — and quickly.
Care About Them as a Friend and Not Just as a Business Partner.
While it’s not practical in every situation, I like to be friends with my client, prospect and vendor partners — or at least on friendly terms. Projects are more enjoyable when you like each other’s company. Then when the occasional difficulty comes up, you can more easily work through those issues.
When was the last time you asked a business partner how her or his day was going — or for a restaurant or movie recommendation? I’ve had a few business relationships where my client rarely asked me anything personal that was outside of our business relationship. Even though I repeatedly noticed this and was a bit annoyed by it, I didn’t let it stop me from striving to make a more personal connection with them. (A former manager told me I had terrier-like qualities when it came to getting what I wanted. Yep, I can be like a people-pleasing pup in the pursuit of getting someone to like or pay attention to me!)
Reap the Bottom-Line Benefits of Perfect Partnerships.
Lasting partnerships can do a lot for your business. A great partner can bring you more business; offer a helping hand when one’s needed; connect you with someone or something that helps your business grow or evolve; cut you slack when it’s required (that benefit-of-the-doubt thing I mentioned); or just make you feel good (and proud) of the VIP connection.
Being seen as person of quality and integrity is important to me, and I know it’s made a difference in my business relationships, professional growth and bank account. But I’m still learning how to be a better partner as I take on new projects and new clients and hit new challenges. (Insert shameless plug: Here’s what some of my clients have to say about partnering with me.)
Are you reaping the rewards of strong business partnerships? Do your partners know, like and trust you? If you don’t know the answers, there’s nothing that should stop you from asking your partners what it’s like to work with you — including, what’s working and what could be better. What you learn from asking could cheer or challenge you … so take that leap of faith and ask for feedback on your power as their partner — and your potential to make things even better, too.
*I’m not sure why the “very very good” ditty came to mind as I was writing this, but it’s from a childhood memory. It was a song my mom used to sing to me — starting from when I was probably three or four. When she’d sing these words, I’d dance and hold on to the refrigerator handle (weird, I know):
There was a little girl, who had a little curl
Right down in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good, she was very, very good
And when she was bad she was horrid.
I loved to make my mom laugh, and this must have been the beginnings of my people-pleasing ways. Until I googled this song today, I had no idea it was a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. (By the way, my mom would only sing the first verse, not the full song/poem.)
This memory is extra special since today is Mother’s Day. ❤️ My mom, Diane Barnes, passed away in October 2017, and I’d given anything to hear her sing this silly song again!
