A sacred annual mating ritual took place today at New Business School Amsterdam. It was the designated day to look to the person sitting beside you and ask yourself, “Is this person really marriage material?”. Sure it’s been fun dreaming of a future (business) together, but are you “the one”?
Partnerships go wrong so often that I usually warn people to steer clear, but sometimes taking the plunge is unavoidable. So how do you decide if you are willing to commit? We brought in an expert, not a marriage counselor, although that would not be not a bad idea.
Tax adviser, Paul Rijnbeek was our guest lecturer and he briefed the students on the pros and cons of various business structures to choose from when setting up their new ventures. This discussion sent some groups directly to the Chamber of Commerce to register, the equivalent of a quickie marriage at the city hall or Elvis Chapel in Vegas (a la Britney Spears). Other couples spent the afternoon considering eventual break up scenarios and drafting prenuptial agreements. Now that’s more like it!
On the way home, I contemplated what makes a partnership solid. Here’s my top four.
1. Vision – you share a common sense of purpose
2. Risk- you both put something on the line
3. Sweat – you both work your ass off to achieve 1. (Vision)
4. Mutual respect – you respect each other and common values
What are your top 4? And most importantly, “Do you have a prenup?”
photo credit:TofflerAnn
Suzy Ogé is an American born business woman living in The Hague, The Netherlands. 