With today's economy, and the layoffs occurring as a result of these economic conditions, more and more people are opting to start their own business. Due to the low start up costs, the prevalence of home-based businesses is on the rise, many of these started by husband and wife teams.
With the move from the corporate world to the home-based, couples are finding that a new set of problems are occurring. In the corporate arena, two major areas of importance are profits and communication with employees. This is done through evaluations, reviews, meetings, or a company newsletter outlining company policies and news. All administrators realize that a happy and informed employee is more efficient and productive; in effect, increasing their profits.
Research on martial separation and divorce indicates two of the main causes of separation and divorce are communication and money, very much like corporate concerns. In the past, spouses worked in their respective jobs, and came home to discuss what was going on in the work place. In effect, they were sounding boards for one another. With the move to the home front, especially with starting up businesses together, the sounding boards are gone.
In effect, placing couples in a start-up business can cause a myriad of problems, previously seen only in the corporate world, in addition to the normal stumbling blocks of starting up a business. Too many couples working together are not practicing good communication skills. Lack of communication, can cause one spouse to feel that he or she is carrying all the business and monetary responsibility.
Keep Your Marriage Solid
If you and your spouse have decided to run a business together, be sure to discuss and outline the following:
Delineate responsibility. Decide who is going to handle what business matters. In addition, be sure you both know how to accomplish these functions. Unfortunately, illness occurs - you need to be able to back up each other in all aspects of the business. For example, if one of you does all the bank statements, be sure your spouse understands how this is accomplished, so if necessary, they can also handle this responsibility. If you have a set procedure you follow and a way you want it done, make up an outline, so it is accomplished in the manner you want.
Marketing, return calls, daily correspondence, invoicing, weekly and/or monthly expenses, supplies, calendaring, appointments, deposits, bank statements, implementation of the business plan, attendance at meetings (e.g. Chamber mixers, National groups, User groups, etc.) all need to be taken care of. You will have to split these responsibilities between you. Again, be sure you know how each is implemented, so in an emergency, you can back each other up.
Delineate responsibilities according to likes and dislikes and who will do the best job. We all have our little niches, and if it is something we like and do well, we can accomplish it better and more efficiently. Once the responsibilities have been delineated, make up a schedule for each item you both need to deal with. Again, you must be able to act as each others back up.
Marketing is a major obstacle. Most individuals do not like to use cold calling as a medium to promote their business. Be sure both of you are involved. Do not let one person handle this. In addition, develop a marketing strategy. Will you market daily, weekly, monthly? What kind of marketing will you do-advertising, cold calls, direct mail, etc. Again, be sure you both are involved. This is important because money and marketing are tied together. The more you market, the more aware the marketplace will be of the services you offer. If only one individual is marketing and monies are fluctuating, there is more tension between the partners to make the business successful. No one individual should have to carry this on their shoulders, or perceive that they do. In addition, with both spouses marketing, one person cannot blame the other for the success or failure of the business.
The Most Important Tool
Remember, the most important tool you both have is communication. Don't expect your spouse to read your mind. Keep the marriage and business separate. It's difficult, especially if you are home-based, but it can be done. If you have a problem with the way your spouse is accomplishing a task in the business environment, discuss it immediately. Do not wait. Do not let this build into anger that is transferred to your personal relationship. Remember that keeping your business and personal relationships separate is very important to the survival of both your business and your marriage.
In Part II of this article we will discuss how to implement this strategy.
Copyright 2000, DeFiore Enterprises
Interested in having your own successful, home based creative real estate investing business? Chuck and Sue have been helping folks start successful home based businesses for over 19 years, and we can help you too! To see how, visit http://www.homebusinesssolutions.com for the latest FREE tips and tricks, educational products and coaching in creative real estate investing and home based businesses. No time to visit the site? Subscribe to our "how to" Home Business Solutions Digest, it's like having your own personal coach: http://www.homebusinesssolutions.com
no-contract cleaning service Deerfield ..THE sunshine had come out to ensure the wedding of... Read More
The relationship expert on i.village.com, I am the author of... Read More
Would you like to have a stronger, healthier, more enjoyable... Read More
Apparently for a person to get married is like burning... Read More
Marrying for love, financial security and/or companionship does not guarantee... Read More
With the average cost of a wedding around ?17,000 you... Read More
The wedding gown is most important choice for a bride... Read More
Cruising down the river was always deemed by couples the... Read More
Creating a wedding budget is one of the first things... Read More
While through history brides have agonized over what to wear... Read More
Bridal showers are one of many pre-wedding parties and are... Read More
A bridal shower is an excellent way for the bride... Read More
Just as there are a variety of wedding packages available,... Read More
Is the cost of your wedding putting the honeymoon of... Read More
Games for a wedding shower are the best ways to... Read More
In case you've been living on another planet for the... Read More
You and the one you love are dreaming of an... Read More
Since Maui and Hawaii in general have been blessed with... Read More
Think your bridal gown is the most important garment you'll... Read More
The groom traditionally plans the honeymoon. However, most brides prefer... Read More
The bridesmaid gift is essential to the planning of a... Read More
Are you looking for a las Vegas chapel to make... Read More
Your wedding day, what is presumed to be the happiest... Read More
If you've been to one wedding, you've seen it all.... Read More
As couples begin thinking about their wedding, they are often... Read More
pet-friendly home cleaners Mundelein ..When people think about great love stories, more often than... Read More
The great day has come and gone, and you are... Read More
Hearing that your cheating spouse is "in love" with someone... Read More
Any marriage counselor will tell you that one of the... Read More
Just the thought of all the expenses that come with... Read More
Too many wives with cheating husbands put up with their... Read More
Every couple has different priorities when it comes to budgeting... Read More
Time was when you'd open a wedding invitation you'd find... Read More
Imagine the following scenario. Your spouse has given you an... Read More
One way to increase your chances of enjoying a happy... Read More
The symbolism of Celtic Diamond Rings is relevant to all... Read More
It's important that your makeup look its absolute best for... Read More
Bridal shower games are a wonderful way to put your... Read More
Let's face it retirement is a time of great transition... Read More
There's no doubt about it, weddings can be expensive. The... Read More
The key to being a gracious bride is to be... Read More
Ah! It's the wedding night. You've cut the cake, drank... Read More
Between paying for the wedding and setting up a new... Read More
Have you heard of destination wedding favors? I haven't either,... Read More
Traditionally, a wedding band was worn on the ring finger... Read More
Deciding the menu is a pretty simple affair. Once you've... Read More
If you are in the process of design a wedding... Read More
There are so many styles of wedding gown to choose... Read More
For a bride, shopping for bridesmaid dresses can be one... Read More
During a marriage crisis, you can feel like your whole... Read More
Marriage & Wedding |