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.

---

Wichita Kansas is a Great Place to Run a Business

We love Wichita because it has great all round weather... Read More

Chamber Membership will BOOST your Business

When is the Chamber ideal for your business?Joining a Chamber... Read More

Boston Suburban areas a good choice to run a business

BioTechs even with the latest news had shed over 1000... Read More

Pressure Washer Concrete Cleaning Equipment

Cleaning concrete is tough and there is an easy way... Read More

WARNING to Home Based and Small Business Who Want to Buy Television Cable Advertising

Most small businesses will not even try to advertise on... Read More

Cabinet Refacing Business Opportunities

With all the cabinet refacing business opportunities out there, you... Read More

Small Business and Branding ? Why and How?

When we speak of branding most of the time people... Read More

How to Find A Group that Needs Speakers

How do you find groups that are in need of... Read More

Frodos Journey: What It Can Teach You About Marketing Your Small Business

Just recently, I took a break and caught "The Return... Read More

Marketing Your Small Business - The Top 10 Brilliant Ideas

A Brilliant Marketing Idea... sounds great but what is it?... Read More

Secrets to Washing Fleets of Trucks from a Nationwide Fleet Washing Service

Washing the exterior of a truck. Sounds easy right? Well,... Read More

Freelance Tips: How to Cope with Spring Fever When Theres Work to Be Done

We all know how glorious those first warm days of... Read More

Small Business Credit Card Advantages

Obtaining a business credit card enables the small business owner... Read More

The Workers? Compensation Situation in this Country is Nuts, Arnold in CA Takes Action

The Workers' Compensation situation in this country is unbelievable. Why,... Read More

FTC Report on Franchise Rule Making; What Purpose?

The Federal Trade Commission out of the blue decide in... Read More

How to Use Graphs and Charts in Your Business Plan

Many people ask how many graphs or charts they should... Read More

Yeah, It IS Lonely At the Top

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

Overcoming Your Biggest Competitor

Before you read any further in this article, I'd like... Read More

Pressure Washing Companies; Pricing Dock and Deck Cleaning

If you own a Pressure Washing Company and wish to... Read More

The Key To Success - Choose The Right Partners

Do you promote yourself as offering prompt, reliable and quality... Read More

Small Business - Is The Accounting Profession Ripping Them Off?

My 16 year-old daughter said, "Gee Dad! You look just... Read More

The Benefits of Using Freelance Consultants / Trainers for Your Project

What are the benefits of using a Freelance Consultant /... Read More

Business Checks are an Added Cost to Your Small Business - Try Making Them Yourself!

Starting and managing a small business is no fun chore,... Read More

The Advisory Board: A Business Owners Most Valuable Resource

As a company grows, the owner's role begins to change.... Read More

Are You Using a Chess or Checkers Small Business Marketing Strategy?

Until the day I learned to play chess I loved... Read More

Franchises Must Meet Legal Definition to be an Actual Franchise

All franchises must meet the legal definition of a franchise... Read More

Administration Of Your Small Business

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

Entrepreneurs Go Virtual!

With the massive explosion of start-ups and home businesses developing,... Read More

The Skills Gap: It Pays to Use Experts

By outsourcing to skilled professionals you'll be able to grow... Read More

Job Costing - Do You Know How?

What's your job profitability? I meet with business owners every... Read More

Business Development Is Not An Event

Cash flow. To stay in business, you've got to keep... Read More

Collaborative Negotiating: A Win-Win Strategy

COLLABORATIVE NEGOTIATING:Collaborative negotiating is a win-win strategy that can focus... Read More

Pressure Washing Aircraft Hangers at the Airport

If you are looking for a way to own your... Read More