6. Deal with conflict by being upfront and honest.

Own up to your role in conflict and move toward resolution as quickly as possible. If you have been wrong, state it, followed by an extension of an apology.

7. Eliminate company gossip from your life, and keep all employee concerns confidential.

If you need support for company gossip, hire a coach who has a reputation of being trustworthy.

8. Trust your employees to make smart decisions without your interference.

Self-esteem is built by allowing others opportunity to try new things and to be successful by adding their personal touch to a project or assignment.

9. Provide work that is meaningful and that allows your employees and/or volunteers opportunity to stretch and grow, and above all, provide training necessary for implementing a change.

10. Cheer company on by announcing on a daily basis successes of previous day.

This surge of energy early in morning will increase productivity throughout day

* In a marriage, individual financial resources often become jointly owned.

- In a partnership, your partner has a legal claim to all of current (and most future) business assets.

* In a marriage, you must be willing to give of yourself, even when it is not always returned.

- In a partnership, one partner can come to feel like they are doing all work, but both partners have right to receive income.

* In a marriage, when things go bad it can be difficult to split up.

- In a partnership, when splitting up, remaining partner can often face a demand for thousands of dollars from departing partner.

> The Path To Partnership Bliss

If you decide after careful reflection on your true motivation that a partnership is your desired form of legal organization, then there are some steps I suggest that you take:

1. Create a written partnership agreement, spelling out following terms:

* The full legal name of each partner. * The purpose of your business enterprise. * Detailed description of each partner's primary functions; and a description of joint functions. * Financial controls, such as mandatory signatures of both partners on any check over $500. * The dollar amount of capital each partner will invest initially in business. * The percentage breakdown on profits and/or losses between partners. * The personal compensation of each partner and how often it will be paid (this may be set on an increasing scale as business's revenue grows). * What exact business activities must be approved, in writing, by both partners, e.g. signing a retail lease agreement. * What process will be used to pay off a partner who wishes to leave.

2. Have a social get-together with partners and their spouses (or significant others) to explain what kind of time commitment business will require.

3. Plan at least one face-to-face meeting with your partner each week during pre-launch planning to review progress.

4. Be genuinely caring and respectful of your partner.