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
cleaning team near Bannockburn ..Just as destination weddings are fast growing in popularity, so... Read More
Your true love got down on his knees and asked... Read More
Because many men do not discuss feelings as easily as... Read More
Creating a wedding budget is one of the first things... Read More
Nestled in the beautiful Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg's romantic and beautiful... Read More
Are you a Bride-to-Be? Wonderful! Congratulations! But what's that enormous... Read More
Getting married is one of the most stressful events anyone... Read More
The extravagance of weddings is a popular topic. We blame... Read More
As a Personal Trainer for brides-to-be, I often get asked... Read More
Brides looking to stay on top of their wedding plans... Read More
It's important that your makeup look its absolute best for... Read More
If you are looking for honeymoon vacation ideas that will... Read More
Congratulations! You have found the man of your dreams and... Read More
Your wedding invitations are your announcement to family and friends... Read More
What about this business of food for lovers? Is it... Read More
Just like weddings, receptions are often theme based as well.... Read More
Everybody who has decided to marry wants their day to... Read More
I say always register for gifts! You see, people tend... Read More
The typical wedding reception entertainment scheme of pretty flowers and... Read More
"What in the world could they have been thinking?"Definitely words... Read More
The key to being a gracious bride is to be... Read More
As Mark Twain said "Let us not be too particular;... Read More
The kids are yelling, the dog is barking, and you... Read More
Hi If you are getting married or have a Bar... Read More
Selecting a wedding gown is possibly one of the most... Read More
cleaning lady near Deerfield ..Getting hitched, taking the plunge, tying the knot, jumping the... Read More
This season, a Caribbean honeymoon vacation will give you unlimited... Read More
Wedding favors have evolved over time. Wedding favors today combine... Read More
An anniversary gift is the opportunity to show your loved... Read More
Through my personal & professional coaching practice, marital issues often... Read More
You can rest assured that the charm of your Maui... Read More
Everybody talks about wedding invitations, but what about all the... Read More
Every bride wants a fairytale wedding. Therefore, this article is... Read More
When it comes to your catering services for your wedding,... Read More
After choosing the design for your wedding invitations you can... Read More
The biggest problem long-distance spouses often face is how to... Read More
When people think about great love stories, more often than... Read More
You have made the decision to contact a marriage counselor.... Read More
Any marriage counselor will tell you that one of the... Read More
There's an important question that you need to ask the... Read More
As couples begin thinking about their wedding, they are often... Read More
At one time or another, most of us have had... Read More
When you come to choose a wedding gift it's no... Read More
Wedding planning is a difficult task for everyone. Unless you... Read More
Today Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel.com & Bookpleasures.com is pleased... Read More
Bridal showers are one of many pre-wedding parties and are... Read More
Personalized wedding favors are among the most popular of gift... Read More
The enchanting Belize honeymoon resorts captivate every visitor through the... Read More
The wedding day is the day that most women wait... Read More
You can look fabulous at your daughter's wedding in a... Read More
Marriage & Wedding |