Couples In Business Together - Tips For Success

"You've got to be kidding! You and your spouse work together?

No way! There is no way I could work with my spouse. We couldn't stand to be together that much."

Separately, love and business are two of life's greatest challenges. What happens when you weave them together? The possibilities run the gamut from bliss to disaster.

The benefits and detriments to husband and wife business teams (referred to as copreneurs) arise from gender differences, conceptual differences, the need to balance family and work, conflict resolution strategies and techniques, personal and professional communication skills, the demands of teamwork and the necessity of positive attitudes.

How can copreneurs ensure success in their business and in their marriage and family life?

Here are some tips for couples working together.

Behaviors / Actions that Foster Success

•Do your homework before you start your own business

•Plan, Plan, Plan

•Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

•Obtain sufficient financing

•Use Internet for background information on start-up business issues

•Keep your full time job while initiating new business (if appropriate)

•Honestly evaluate whether or not you and your spouse would be compatible business partners

•Honestly assess the work and hours involved in the business

•Take time off together to plan your business

•Develop strategies in advance to cope with stress

•Make time to acknowledge your spouse's achievements and successes

•Discuss the "issues" and respect each other's point of view

•Plan on how you will resolve conflict

•Clearly articulate how you will allocate job and household responsibilities

Behaviors / Actions that will Lead to Distress

•Disrespecting your spouse

•Neglecting your personal needs

•Undercapitalizing your business

•Allowing your business to consume your personal lives

•Delaying your exiting the business when it isn't working for you

Couples in business together need to be equipped with effective communication tools. They need to position themselves to minimize misunderstanding, to clarify expectations, to build healthier relationships, to increase productivity and to manage conflict more effectively.

As a copreneur you need to make time for critical conversations about issues that impact you, your spouse, your business, and/or your marital relationship. Create sufficient time and a suitable place to share your views with your spouse. Ask questions and listen so as to understand your spouse's point of view. Be aware of areas of agreement and particularly aware of areas of disagreement. Articulate your decisions and write them down as needed. Your conversations will help build bridges at work and at home.

Dr. Becky Stewart-Gross

Over the past 20 years Becky has worked with small and large family-owned businesses providing communication and leadership training as well as professional development coaching. She has been a trainer and consultant using the INSIGHT Inventory personality assessment for over 15 years.

Becky earned her Ph.D. from Michigan Stated University and in 1996 received MSU's Emerging Leaders Award. She recently completed The Program on Negotiation at Harvard University Law School.

http://www.SleepingWithYourBusinessPartner.com