Just as in an unhappy marriage, the problems in an unstable business partnership tend to result in feeling unappreciated and ungratified, having unmet expectations and facing events that cause doubt and distrust. Problems left unattended will result in one or both of you dissolving the partnership.

To keep your partnership in tact, watch for the warning signs:

1) Communication Breakdown
If every conversation you attempt to have with your business partner turns into a war of words, then chances are you’re having a hard time communicating. When we’re holding a grudge against someone, we often have a tendency to always go on the defensive. Our ears shut off and our mouth won’t quit. If you can’t listen to each other, then you’re not communicating at all.

2) Everything is a Competition
Your partnership should be a compliment of each other’s strengths and weaknesses, but, when tensions rise, things tend to become competitive rather than complimentary. If you are constantly trying to out-do your partner, rather than work with him, then there’s probably an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.

3) Financial Problems
This can be anything from the business being under financial stress, to different views on how money should be spent, to disagreeing on the division of profits. If money is an issue, than so is something else.

4) Dominance Issues
If you’re fighting for control of the business, then you are probably not happy with the way your partner is managing her share of the responsibility. When you try to do everything yourself it comes down to a trust issue. There is something that has caused an inability to trust your partner’s productivity.

5) Different Goals
It’s safe to assume that, when you started the business, you and your partner had the same vision for the future. But, as time progresses, those goals may change and differ. That in itself is not a danger, but the inability to compromise and combine your visions is.

Keep your eyes open for the warning signs and meet issues head-on before they become problems. And, if things look bleak, you may want to consider going to a partnership coach before calling it quits. More often than not, an unbiased mediator can help put your business partnership back on the path to success.

Sources/Resources:
• SelfGrowth.com:Is Your Partnership About to Crash and Burn?
• NextLevel.com: Business and Professional Coaching

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Nearly 70% of all partnerships fail, typically because the people involved were so excited about their idea that they didn’t take the time to make sure that they were compatible for a business relationship. The majority of partnerships are formed between friends who assume that since they already get along, there shouldn’t be a problem. There are distinct differences between getting along with a friend (or family member) socially and the relationship remaining strong under the daily stress of running a business.

Business partnerships are often compared to marriages. In fact, if you are in a partnership, you will likely spend more time with your business partner than you do with your marital spouse. Much like in a marriage, it’s important that you take time to first find out if you and your perspective partner are even compatible for the long term.

When considering starting a partnership with someone, you must first examine your own strengths and weaknesses to determine if you are partner material. If you have a tendency to work better alone, or prefer to do so, then a partnership is probably not for you. If you can consider the suggestions of others and be open-minded when making decisions, then you’d probably make a good partner. Talk to your spouse, family and friends to get their input as well.

Once you have determined that you are able to meet the challenges of being a business partner, you should to examine the relationship you currently have with the other person.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do we have the same motivation?
• Do we have the same values and work ethics?
• Do our skills and strengths complement each other?
• Are we able to communicate with each other, even on touchy subjects, in a cool, calm and respectful manner?
• Deep down, do I 100% trust this person?
• Have we been able to adequately resolve conflicts/disagreements in the past?

Hopefully the answer to all these questions is “yes.” If not, then the next item on your list should be to sit down with your prospective partner and discuss the reservations you may have about the partnership. Laying those items on the table, and monitoring the other person’s reaction to them, will be a strong indicator of whether or not the partnership will work.

Also, talk to the other person’s previous partners and employees to get their feedback on how well he/she works with others. Be aware that, should your prospective partner refuse to provide you with contact information for her former counterparts, then that is a red-flag that you probably shouldn’t do business with.

If all signs point to proceeding with the partnership, then it’s time to test the waters. Take on a challenge together, like meeting a deadline, as see how that goes. Determine your expectations for the other person and see if they are met throughout the project. It’s also important to clearly define the responsibilities of each person, as this will be something a partnership requires every day.

Take your time and be sure this partnership is the right one for you. Don’t let the excitement of your idea allow you to rush into such a commitment. The failure of a business partnership can be devastating, both to your business and personal relationship with the other person. Taking time to find the right business partner can result in a mutual motivation and support, as well as a highly successful business.

Sources:
• BusinessKnowHow.com: Is a Partnership the Right Choice for You?
• Inc.com: The Art of Picking the Right Partner

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From November 1st to December 3rd of this year, internet shopping rose to $12.42 billion, an increase of 25% since last year. The number of people making Internet purchases jumped 17%, while the amount of money spent by each buyer increased by 7%.

The retail areas seeing the most increase: videogames, jewelry and even tickets to concerts and shows.

An abundance of holiday Internet shopping occurrs on what is called “Cyber Monday,” the Monday following Thanksgiving each year. That is when online retailers debut their holiday products, virtual door busters and promotions such as free shipping with purchase.

However, with increased Internet shopping comes increased security concerns. An average of 46% of the 155 million web shoppers are concerned about the security of their personal information when making a purchase, but those numbers are typical.

Software developers such as Microsoft have been working hard to counteract shopper woes, such as upgrading security features of Internet Explorer web browser. The new version warns users if the site they are visiting is an imposter rather than an actual retailer. The down side is, as a new system, this only works 30-40% of the time.

Online retailers are also taking extra precautions. More frequently they are purchasing liability insurance that will cover themselves and their customers in the case of identity theft. By advertising this protection on their websites, retailers hope to encourage buyers to proceed with a bit more confidence.

Despite the reservations that the risk of identity theft pose, online purchases are expected to continue to increase over the holiday season and in future years as consumers enjoy shopping from the comfort of their own home. After all, who really wants to fight the crowds when you can get deals just as good online?

Sources:
• Business Week: Web Shoppers Spend More for Holidays
• Stamford Advocate: Online Shopping Popularity Continues to Rise

Tags: Internet shopping, Cyber Monday, security, identity theft

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There’s a new(er) IRS commissioner in town, and he’s doing some extra cleaning. Mark Everson, who took office in March of 2003 has made security his main focus of the IRS. And now small business is facing increased scrutiny.

Enforcement is taking the main stage due to the tax gap currently sitting at about $345 billion. This amounts to all the money that is missing due to non-filers and those who claim the wrong income and don’t pay correctly.

Small business audits more than doubled in 2005, an increase to 17,867 from 7,294 in 2004. Some small business owners have voiced a strong disagreement with the audits, claiming it unfair that small businesses are being targeted and will face penalties for small or unintentional mistakes. Large business owners also have the advantage of the financial ability to hire highly-paid accountants to fend off those mistakes.

Everson feels that a focus on small business will help to minimize the national deficit and avoid possible tax increases in the future. 80% of the tax gap is a result of under-reported income and the majority of culprits tend to be small businesses.

Some experts believe that the funds the IRS is using for enforcement could be better spent on educating the public on an increasingly complex tax code. After all, chances are that the IRS may not even see the revenue they expect to find in small business audits to make up for the funds spent to find it.

Everson claims that there is nothing to fear if you are doing your best to report your income and expenses accurately come tax time. Nothing to fear, that is, except for the time an audit takes away from your business.

Sources:
• Business Week: IRS Sets Its Sights on Small-Biz
• MarketWatch.com: Last-minute tax tips for Schedule C filers
• GovEXEC.com: IRS enforcement activities bring in record revenue

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The first thing you should be aware of when it comes to General Partnerships, whose owners are known as GPs (general partners), is that it is managed by all partners and all partners are liable for the negligence and/or debts of the business.

Each and every partner has a say in how the business is run and, even if only one partner makes a mistake, each and every partner takes the heat for it. Of course, this liability is only a problem if you or your partners cannot be trusted to run the business.

Partnerships are often used when franchising a business or when all partners contribute equally to the success of the business, such as a law firm. Taxes are paid through each partners personal income tax. There are no costs or formalities for designating your business as a partnership entity, and the only document required is a Partnership Agreement, which is crucial and should include:

• Amount each partner will invest in the business and when said investments will be made (upfront, annually, etc.);
• Rights and duties of each partner;
• Method for distributing profits and sharing in losses;
• Policies regarding withdrawals of the business assets;
• Designated division of the business profits among members;
• Policies and methods for dispute resolution;
• Policies and methods for including a new partner;
• Method for dissolving the partnership, when and if necessary.

Typically profits are divided equally among members, but you can designate otherwise in your partnership agreement. Keep in mind that giving one partner a larger percentage of the business assets does indicate that they have a stronger say in the decisions regarding the operation of the business. It is usually in the best interest of all involved to stick to equal distribution.

A partnership lasts only as long as a good relationship between partners. It can be dissolved if the partners no longer wish to work together using the methods indicated in the partnership agreement, which can include the sale of the business as well as dismissing one member and bringing another in.

Partnerships also have the option of including one or more limited or silent partners (LPs). LPs are individuals who invest in the partnership but, based upon the Partnership Agreement, are limited in their involvement in the operation of the business. Also, LPs’ legal liability is generally limited to how much they invest, so they can basically reap the benefits of the partnership (i.e. profits) without being responsible for the debts.

It is important that you examine all of the available options for business entity designation and determine which is best for you and your business before you get the ball rolling. Please consult with a lawyer before before making any legal decisions.

Part 1: Sole Proprietorships
Part 2: Corporations
Part 3: Limited Liability Companies

Sources:
• Entrepreneur.com: Business Structure Basics
• Start-a-Business.com: General Partnership
• AllBusiness.com: Corporation, Partnership, or an LLC?
• About.com: Partnerships
• Wikipedia.org: General Partnership and Limited Partnership

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