Paul Bennett

Yes 100% definitely yes. As they say listening is twice as important as speaking. Moreover an old adage from a past life that continues to ring true is this. Prescription without adequate diagnosis equals malpractice.

Defining roles and responsibilities within a business partnership is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures clarity and alignment in objectives, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings or conflicts. Each partner knows what is expected of them, leading to smoother operations and decision-making processes. Secondly, doing so allows for better utilisation of resources and expertise. By understanding each partner's strengths and areas of expertise, tasks can be delegated accordingly, maximizing efficiency and productivity. Moreover, clear roles and responsibilities promote accountability. When each partner knows their specific duties and obligations, they are more likely to take ownership of their tasks and deliver results.

Business partners can celebrate and appreciate successes and contributions through acknowledgment and recognition. This could be as simple as a heartfelt thank-you note, a celebratory lunch, or even a dedicated team meeting where achievements are highlighted. Additionally, sharing credit publicly and expressing gratitude privately can go a long way in fostering a culture of appreciation and collaboration within the partnership.

The second step is to communicate effectively with your partners and listen to their perspectives. Avoid making assumptions, judgments, or accusations.

This is an area on which I have 1st hand experience. Some years ago, 10 to be precise I found myself in a corner. I hadn't realised but my then business partner wanted to create an uncomfortable space so that our personal and business relationship of the prior 10 years would become untenable. Despite my years I was a little naive as we had crawled over broken glass together to build what was a successful SaaS SME. We had an opportunity to sell the business for an acceptable multiplier and I was led to believe that all was well until the 11th hour. At which point he did a 180 degree about turn. Ultimately I sold my shareholding for a lesser value simply because I had to uncouple myself from what had very sadly become a toxic relationship.

For those of you old enough to remember Ed Koch. Ed was mayor of New York City in the 1980’s. He was renowned for simply engaging with his audience to ensure that they were with him. He would stop mid sentence and ask "How'm I doin.” As Craig Steven’s said in his post on this matter, “never loose your audience.” It’s vital that you consider what you’re saying is able to be clearly understood by your delegates. Very often and with all good intentions, presenters can get too involved because it’s their baby and your presentation can become overwhelming even if your audience are familiar with the topic you are speaking about…