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FRANCAISBy Anouk Dante
Every individual who finally decides to step into the world of entrepreneurship will quickly understand that it requires a lot of courage and energy to fulfill his or her dream. Sharing this effort with a partner is certainly the best way not to end up too quickly in the grave.
Actually the Watchmaking History teaches us that a good association is the best guarantee of success and longevity. I had the great honor to work in two companies which both are the living proof of what I am about to outline in the following.
Nevertheless, we can find numerous counter-examples and other despicable stories of partnerships which end dramatically, most of them leaving one of the partners by the side of the road (often the creator, I wonder why) with nothing left, not even his name!
So finding the right business partner is actually as difficult as finding the right partner in life. Therefore why not combine the two!
According to my experience and my observations, two fundamental factors are the key to starting a long and successful relationship: First of all sharing common values such as a sense of ethics and second having complementary skills, characters and competences.
Olivier and I can add also a common education: a degree in economics followed by a bachelor of science in design. We both attended at the same time the european branch of the prestigious design school of Pasadena « Art Center College of Design ». We were in the same class to prepare our entry portfolio. (Funny, I kept the admission register –premonition? Here enclosed)
I must admit that at that time his talent impressed me more than his physical charms! Having learned the same methodologies and approaches about technical and marketing issues is a tremendous help for us at Revelation and it saves us a lot of energy in discussing these matters.
So, dear Readers, let’s say that you found the perfect match in terms of values and complementarity and that your new partner seems to fit perfectly the present requirements…. Now you are ready to face your greatest human challenge!
The huge challenge you are about to face is the struggle between you and your bloody « Ego » (remember, the one I referred to in the chapter 1.1).
While your Ego is a necessary ingredient to keep up your motivation throughout adversity, it can also be the most dangerous element and your worst enemy!
So, the ultimate challenge you have to face in terms of partnership is getting the priorities of your company right. Knowing your own priorities is essential to fulfilling your objectives (everyone learns that in management classes), but is worth nothing if you are unable to put those of your partner before your own at the most critical time. Having the wisdom to accept to change your priorities in favor of those of your associate will clearly make the difference between success and failure. There are many ways to do things and to arrive to your destination. Sometimes being able to have the flexibility to modify your view can bring you much further than you could imagine.
In conclusion, choosing your life partner for business associate is not a bad idea because if you are able to adjust all the above parameters in your private environment, you are all set for your business! (pure female logic!)
Of course, it is a dangerous bet because if you loose in one field, you loose in the other one as well. But a good entrepreneur is also a player and a gambler!
Next Chapter : Finding a virgin territory
