Authors: David Gage
ISBN-13: 9780738208985, ISBN-10: 0738208981
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Basic Books
Date Published: June 2004
Edition: New Edition
David Gage is founder of BMC Associates, a multi-disciplinary Arlington, Virginia-based mediation firm. He is also an adjunct professor at the Kogod School of Business at American University, and maintains a private practice as a clinical psychologist. Gage speaks regularly to business and professional organizations, runs seminars, and writes articles on issues of preventing and resolving conflict. He lives in Arlington.
For the 30 million business partners and co-owners, the essential guide for building, launching, and sustaining successful ventures
Gage, a professor at the Kogod School of Business at American University, believes that business partners should have an operating charter in addition to a partnership agreement. This operating charter, while not legally binding, is a strategic way for partners to have a serious, ongoing discussion about how they plan to run their business, deal with work issues and people, and spell out their expectations. The actual charter is far less important than the conversations leading up to its drafting. Gage discusses the four key questions that should be considered when deciding to form a partnership. While some people can explain why they want to own a business and why they want to have a partner, two questions-are there better alternatives than choosing a partner and is the person you're choosing the best partner-are more difficult to answer. Using a variety of examples, Gage shows how business people sometimes choose partners instead of finding outside financing or hiring a consultant. This is a clear and helpful book, best for people who are considering setting up a partnership. Readers who are already in partnerships, however, may find Gage's advice useful but harder to implement. Overall, this book is a solid addition to the business guide category. (Aug.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
1 | The rewards (and risks) of going into business together | 3 |
2 | Starting down the right path : a partnership charter | 31 |
3 | Partners' vision and strategic direction | 55 |
4 | Pieces of the pie : ownership issues | 67 |
5 | Roles and titles, power and status | 91 |
6 | Money : taking it out, and sharing it | 109 |
7 | Governance | 121 |
8 | Personal styles and working together | 135 |
9 | Partners' personal values | 149 |
10 | Is it fair? | 161 |
11 | Getting what you wish for : the power of expectations | 177 |
12 | Just suppose : scenario planning for partners | 193 |
13 | Essentials of resolving conflict | 201 |
App | Star Systems' partnership charter | 213 |