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Casual Articles - Secrets of Successful Couplepreneurs(tm)
Here is a quick tip for securing temporary office space without spending a bundle of money or getting involved in a lot of hassles. Just remember these three words: 'shared office space'. Savvy business people recognize that the words 'shared office space' does not mean actually sharing space with another company. They refer to a type of permanent or temporary office space that can be quickly and easily obtained for any length of time. For example, let us say you need to set up temporary office space somewhere. It can be either in your area or almost any city around the world. You do not want the hassle of signing a long-term lease, particularly when you do not know how long you will need the temporary office space. You do not want to invest in a lot of furniture that you will end up having to sell. You don't want all the hassles of moving in
Perfect communication between any two human beings is not realistic. However, when partners learn to manage their preferred communication styles and take advantage of their complementary skills, their relationship and business both benefit. When they support each other's natural problem solving process, conflicts are resolved more quickly and easily. Through experience they have learned what works for each partner - whether one needs to retreat, be reassured, blow off steam, etc. They know that it is important not to judge each other for reacting differently to conflict, and it is most important to not take th
In the story of David and Goliath, young David challenged the mighty Goliath. King Saul wanted David to wear his armour so that he could fight Goliath in the traditional way. But David chose to forgo the armour, used a weapon of his choosing, and relied on his own speed, and was ultimately successful in slaying the giant Goliath.Small business owners viewing the Goliaths of their industry slugging it out using all the marketing weaponry in their well stocked armoury, can be daunted by the battles raging around them. And if they choose to fight them with the same weapons, they have much to fear. For large businesses, economies of scale is their most potent weapon. A very powerful weapon. But like Goliath, their strengths are also their weaknesses.RelationshipsThe biggest point of vulnerability for business Goliaths is their need for volume, and their inability to react quickly to
What are "Couplepreneurs"? This term describes any two persons living together in a committed relationship and also running a business together. Couplepreneurship is a growing phenomenon for several reasons, including: corporate downsizing; more women entering the workforce; early retirees looking for another venture; and technology that allows a small business to become a viable option for earning a family income.
Being partners at home and in business is not only doubly challenging, but exponentially more complicated than being partners in only one of these endeavors. So, for couples finding some bumps traveling the Couplepreneur road, Couplepreneurs who want more from either their personal or business partnership; and those considering embarking on the Couplepreneur adventure here are some tips. The following "secrets" have been gathered from my own experiences owning several businesses with my husband; extensive research, coaching Couplepreneurs, and interviewing several other successful Couplepreneurs.
1. Have a shared, clear vision of your ideal business and relationship with an integrated plan to have both.
To be successful as Couplepreneurs requires planning a life-with a vision that includes personal and relationship goals as well as business goals. If both partners are not going in the same direction toward common goals, they will grow apart. Idealistically, partners will always be on the same wavelength. Realistically, they may start out with different goals and desires related to the business, and/or as the business and family circumstances change, their dreams may diverge. Successful couplepreneurs look for creative alternatives that honor both partner's visions.
2. Respect each others' values.
Since values are the principles and beliefs that guide decisions, attitudes and behaviors; partners' values must be acceptable to each other. If partners are forced to act contrary to their core values frustration and struggle will ensue. Assumedly partners have similar values since they are a couple sharing a life. However, when partners team up in business they may become aware of some aspects of their partner's value system of which they were previously unaware. Values about money, commitment, work ethic, integrity, authority and responsibility may become much more significant when sharing both personal and business lives. Successful couplepreneurs honor each others' values at home and in business.
3. Communicate and negotiate to effectively resolve conflicts.
Perfect communication between any two human beings is not realistic. However, when partners learn to manage their preferred communication styles and take advantage of their complementary skills, their relationship and business both benefit. When they support each other's natural problem solving process, conflicts are resolved more quickly and easily. Through experience they have learned what works for each partner - whether one needs to retreat, be reassured, blow off steam, etc. They know that it is important not to judge each other for reacting differently to conflict, and it is most important to not take the
INTRODUCTION TO HOW TRADITION STALLS IMPROVEMENTSIf It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix ItA motorist asks a farmer for a glass of water. The farmer obliges, using a hand pump to draw water from a well. The pump handle turns close to a board, and the farmer curses as he scrapes his knuckles against it.Motorist: Why not move that board? It serves no purpose.Farmer: It's been there since my father's time. If it was good enough for him, it is good enough for me.Aping Human BeingsImagine a cage containing five apes. In the cage, hang a banana on a string over some stairs. Before long, as the story goes, an ape will decide to go up the stairs to grab the banana. As soon as that ape touches the stairs, spray all the apes with icy water. After awhile, another ape will approach the stairs with the same result: All the apes are sprayed with cold water. Do this repeatedly and th
1. Have a shared, clear vision of your ideal business and relationship with an integrated plan to have both.
To be successful as Couplepreneurs requires planning a life-with a vision that includes personal and relationship goals as well as business goals. If both partners are not going in the same direction toward common goals, they will grow apart. Idealistically, partners will always be on the same wavelength. Realistically, they may start out with different goals and desires related to the business, and/or as the business and family circumstances change, their dreams may diverge. Successful couplepreneurs look for creative alternatives that honor both partner's visions.
2. Respect each others' values.
Since values are the principles and beliefs that guide decisions, attitudes and behaviors; partners' values must be acceptable to each other. If partners are forced to act contrary to their core values frustration and struggle will ensue. Assumedly partners have similar values since they are a couple sharing a life. However, when partners team up in business they may become aware of some aspects of their partner's value system of which they were previously unaware. Values about money, commitment, work ethic, integrity, authority and responsibility may become much more significant when sharing both personal and business lives. Successful couplepreneurs honor each others' values at home and in business.
3. Communicate and negotiate to effectively resolve conflicts.
Perfect communication between any two human beings is not realistic. However, when partners learn to manage their preferred communication styles and take advantage of their complementary skills, their relationship and business both benefit. When they support each other's natural problem solving process, conflicts are resolved more quickly and easily. Through experience they have learned what works for each partner - whether one needs to retreat, be reassured, blow off steam, etc. They know that it is important not to judge each other for reacting differently to conflict, and it is most important to not take th
It isn't easy to get into the field of medical billing and not get hammered by all the costs. It's bad enough having to deal with the costs that you are told about up front, but when you get hit with costs that nobody told you about, that's when things can get very frustrating. The purpose of this article is to prepare you for what you're in for should you decide that you want to get into the medical billing profession.The first thing you're going to need is software to do your billing with. This isn't a hidden cost as the company will tell you right up front what the software is going to cost you in order to do your basic billing. That is the key word here, basic. See, the stock medical billing packages don't really come with a lot of extras. As a matter of fact, many things that you would think would be standard turn out to cost extra.For example. In most packages, if you want
2. Respect each others' values.
Since values are the principles and beliefs that guide decisions, attitudes and behaviors; partners' values must be acceptable to each other. If partners are forced to act contrary to their core values frustration and struggle will ensue. Assumedly partners have similar values since they are a couple sharing a life. However, when partners team up in business they may become aware of some aspects of their partner's value system of which they were previously unaware. Values about money, commitment, work ethic, integrity, authority and responsibility may become much more significant when sharing both personal and business lives. Successful couplepreneurs honor each others' values at home and in business.
3. Communicate and negotiate to effectively resolve conflicts.
Perfect communication between any two human beings is not realistic. However, when partners learn to manage their preferred communication styles and take advantage of their complementary skills, their relationship and business both benefit. When they support each other's natural problem solving process, conflicts are resolved more quickly and easily. Through experience they have learned what works for each partner - whether one needs to retreat, be reassured, blow off steam, etc. They know that it is important not to judge each other for reacting differently to conflict, and it is most important to not take th
Many nonprofits organize their annual reports to reflect the set up of the organization. If three different programs were implemented last year, your annual report would need to include three sections describing those programs. Though that is one of the easiest ways to structure an annual report, it's not one of the most compelling methods of telling your story.Developing a theme for the year is a better way to organize an annual report. The theme must flow throughout the document and it can also appear as the title on the report's cover.Here are three themes that any nonprofit could adapt for its annual report:Results that Speak for Themselves. Having people who greatly benefit from your work talk about your accomplishments is much more effective than speaking about your accomplishments directly. The inclusion of personal profiles or anecdotes is a great way of showcasin
3. Communicate and negotiate to effectively resolve conflicts.
Perfect communication between any two human beings is not realistic. However, when partners learn to manage their preferred communication styles and take advantage of their complementary skills, their relationship and business both benefit. When they support each other's natural problem solving process, conflicts are resolved more quickly and easily. Through experience they have learned what works for each partner - whether one needs to retreat, be reassured, blow off steam, etc. They know that it is important not to judge each other for reacting differently to conflict, and it is most important to not take th
Flammable goods storage cabinets are the only way to ensure all of your flammable goods are stored appropriately, however still in reach for the next time you need them.Flammable safety storage cabinets provide a safe, close-by, secure and time saving method for storing all types of dangerous chemicals and help you maintain good housekeeping practices.Benefits and featuresSome of the significant benefits of having flammable cabinets on site include.• Safely contain hazardous chemicals to reduce the risk of fire, protecting both personnel and facilities• Identify, organize, and segregate dangerous liquids• Offer compliance with federal OSHA regulations and state and local fire codes• Improve efficiency by allowing solvent to be stored near the points of use• Improve security with keyed locking mechanismFeatures of the flammable cabinets i
Perfect communication between any two human beings is not realistic. However, when partners learn to manage their preferred communication styles and take advantage of their complementary skills, their relationship and business both benefit. When they support each other's natural problem solving process, conflicts are resolved more quickly and easily. Through experience they have learned what works for each partner - whether one needs to retreat, be reassured, blow off steam, etc. They know that it is important not to judge each other for reacting differently to conflict, and it is most important to not take their partner's reactions personally. They focus the anger and frustration on the problem and not on each other. Successful Couplepreneurs solve conflicts together by creatively implementing a joint solution.
4. Agree on levels of financial risk.
This goes back to respecting each other's values, as beliefs about money are integral to a person's value system. Risk tolerance is based on beliefs about money. Successful Couplepreneurs have examined their money beliefs, including the following:
Is each partner basically optimistic or pessimistic when it comes to his or her relationship to money?
Do they have the abundance or scarcity mentality?
What is each partner willing to risk to make the business grow?
What is the line each will not cross? (For example: not losing the house, keeping medical insurance.)
For success, the more risk tolerant partner must agree not to exceed the level acceptable to the more conservative partner. When the less risk tolerant partner feels that their boundary is being respected, they then become more flexible within that boundary.
5. Capitalize on the differences.
Successful Couplepreneurs realize that a major reason to team up in business with your life partner is to bring in a different perspective, from someone you already trust. Couplepreneurs who make it work, not only tolerate their differences but make the most of them. It is said that in love, opposites attract - and differing skills and ideas often make for the best business partnerships.
Successful couplepreneurs attempt to assign business roles according to strengths, skills, and styles. They figure out right at the start who is going to be in charge of what--and then stay out of each other's way.
6. Present a united front and function as a team.
Successful Couplepreneurs resolve conflicts in private and do not allow others to play one of them against the other. In public, they collaborate and support each other's positions.
In the book Working Together, Frank and Sharan Barnett introduce the concept of "wegos" instead of egos. A wego combines the individual egos into a force that focuses on the relationship and the enterprise instead of one's self. It evolves from the confidence of each partner that together they possess the capabilities to achieve their goals and the realization that without "ourselves", the concept of "myself" is meaningless. Successful Couplepreneurs leave their egos at the door to their business and assume their wegos.
7. The relationship and family come before the business.
A strong partnership and happy home are a practical
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