Doing Business With Friends: Five Tips for Preserving the Friendship... and Your Sanity!

My colleague, Jane, recently lamented to me an all too familiar story about mixing business and friendship. Jane subcontracted copywriting work out her friend, Joan. Jane's copywriting business was blossoming (partly in response to her most recent brilliant article marketing campaign) and giving the work to Joan seemed like a win-win for both of them.

As expected, Joan delivered a glorious first draft. The only problem was halfway through the discussed project, Joan suddenly disappeared!

It turned out that Joan was becoming overwhelmed with juggling her own work and the freelance work. The freelance work sunk to the bottom of her priority list because, hey, Jane was her friend and she wouldn't mind. However, as the days turned into weeks, Joan became embarrassed and began hiding from Jane's e-mail messages and calls. Now both friends were in a pickle!

Jane would have preferred Joan tell her up front that she couldn't meet the agreed upon terms. She didn't get angry with her friend, but it made her wonder how wise it is to involve your close friends in professional endeavors.

One the other side of the fence is the business person who agrees to do something for a friend for a reduced price or free. Another writer stated that she believes she gives away too much of her goods and services dirt cheap or free to friends. She's had experiences doing business with friends in which she's thought, "Oh, I'll do this one thing for him and then he will do something of equal value for me." Often this writer ends up feeling irritated because she's running short on time and money and she often doesn't get back what she put into the trade.

Here are some tips to help you no matter what side of the fence you're on:

1. Your time and services are valuable. Don't give them away. You can volunteer for PTA bake sales, donate blood, or give money to your church, but your business services are not free. You've got bills to pay and a professional reputation to maintain.

2. If you're thinking about doing business with a friend, ask yourself, "Is this a person whose services I would pay for even if I didn't know him? Do I admire and respect the way she operates her business?" I have some friends who are great business people and some who are just great friends (and I'm not convinced they're savvy business people). That's okay. If you can't give an honest affirmative answer to these questions, DON'T do business with this friend.

3. If you choose to do business with a friend, be clear about the project specs, deadlines, and payment arrangements before the work starts. Get it all in writing (e-mail is fine). Be specific! Did I mention be specific?

4. Frequent check-ins are a must. (E.g., "How are you doing with that dog food project we talked about? Do you need any further information or material from me? How can we work together on this?"). Nip any problems in the bud with constant communication.

5. Listen to your intuition. Does your friend generally keep her promises? Is she a good, clear communicator? How would you feel about her if the business arrangement you're thinking about didn't work out well? If you have any nagging doubts, it's best to err on the side of caution and NOT hire your friend.

In business and in life, communication is key. The people who have the most successful business relationships and friendships will always be those who can speak and write clearly, efficiently, and concisely.

Copyright 2005, Ann Zuccardy, All rights reserved.

Ann Zuccardy is a freelance technical and copy writer with 17 years of industry experience in marketing and technical communication. She currently consults with IBM in Essex Junction, Vermont where she writes software user manuals, training guides, and release notes. Ann is also the owner of Vermont Shortbread Company. She can be reached at Wordbrains.com.

---

Dispute Resolution; Competing With Other Franchisees

If you are in a franchise and have a territory... Read More

Trailblazer Interview with Diane J. Levin, Partnering Solutions

Today is a Red Letter Day! It's special because today... Read More

The Most Important Decision of Your Massage Business Career

Don't you find that there are so many decisions you... Read More

Tips and Tricks for Legal Debt Collections

If a customer owes your local business money, it's hard... Read More

Launching your Business with a Chamber of Commerce

Why are Chambers a good launching pad?Chambers provide you with... Read More

Expanding your business.

Are you a small business owner who wants to expand... Read More

Get Out Of The Rut And Back On the Track

Do you sometimes find yourself just going "through the motions"... Read More

Survival Tips For Small Businesses

You may be in Mail Order, Direct Mail, or you... Read More

1 Overlooked Key to Small Business Success

Is this you?You dreamed of owning your own business, doing... Read More

Want to Grow Your Business? Make an Irresistible Offer

My clients and many of my readers are small and... Read More

Small Business Spoiler - Procrastination

One of the most common issues that comes up for... Read More

Are You Really the Boss in Your Own Business?

I recently met with a very successful magazine publisher who... Read More

Expanding A Mobile Car Wash Business

What is the best time to expand a mobile car... Read More

The Hidden Treasure in Your Business

I started working with another new client last week. He... Read More

Yeah, It IS Lonely At the Top

Sometimes when you run a business you feel as lonely... Read More

Joint Venture Your Way to Extraordinary Sales!

You know what makes me really happy? Drinking a Starbucks... Read More

Entrepreneurs Ask: What Can a Virtual Assistant Do For Me?

Great question!Freeing your time is an indisputably key element in... Read More

The Franchisors Heavy Load

Why are we over regulation the franchising industry, what purpose... Read More

Is Your Small Business Name Important?

You bet a name is important. Many small business owners... Read More

Setting Up as an Electronic Repair Authorized Service Center

If you plan to upgrade your workshop into an Authorized... Read More

Administration Of Your Small Business

You've been meaning to tend to the administration part of... Read More

Postcards Make It Rain Referrals

One of the simplest ways to expand your marketing efforts... Read More

Business Pain Defined

Every company has business pain, but the pain does not... Read More

Change May Be Your Ace in the Hole

Whether it has been thrust upon you by external market... Read More

Patient Records - Your Responsibilities

As a practise gets larger & larger the associated problems... Read More

Finding the Right Virtual Assistant for Your Small Business

Articles abound advising the business community how to properly screen... Read More

Money Series 1: Who Takes Your Money

Your business is making profits, but where is the cash?... Read More

Increase Sales in Your Home Business With These 10 Simple Ideas

Every home business has the same problem of how to... Read More

Franchises Offer Shortcuts, But Not Control

Q: I will be retiring this year at age 60... Read More

Obtain Maximum Results For Your Small Business Through Better Time Management

Most small business owners are faced with so many responsibilities... Read More

Do You Love Food? - Then Maybe Opening a Restaurant is Not Such a Crazy Idea

The restaurant industry in the United States employs an estimated... Read More

Pressure Washing Business; Steam Cleaner Fuel Maintenance

It is essential that you fully understand how the fuel... Read More

Mattress Cleaning Business: How To Manual

A Mattress Cleaning Business might be just for you if... Read More