Joint Ventures: Profit Or Pitfall?

By Author: Justin Bryce
Total Articles: 35
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The entity created when two businesses, individuals, corporations or other legal participant join forces for strategic reasons is called a joint venture, or JV. Joint ventures can be very beneficial for small businesses looking to grow their customer pool, or larger businesses seeking innovation or new ideas. To create a successful JV, both parties must approach the situation with a certain degree of gravity.

If you rush into a joint venture, at best you will be wasting time and money -- or at worst you could destroy the business you've worked hard to create. To avoid these pitfalls, you must choose the right partner, create a shared vision and make sure you stick to an organized business plan.

Your choice of partner is probably the most important aspect of creating a successful JV. It's very important that you know your partner well and are confident that they are a trustworthy person or organization. It can be all too easy to get sucked in by a smooth talker who promises you a huge list of client contacts or millions of dollars practically overnight. Don't let your heart's desire run away with your mind's better ...
... judgment. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Take the time to research your potential partner. Look into their past business practices, ask for references and proof of past successes. Make sure they can deliver what they're offering.

Knowing as much as you can about your partner is important, but it can be detrimental to enter into a business agreement with a close friend or loved one. If the JV were to fail, you could lose a valuable relationship along with your business. It can also be tempting to cut corners if you're working with a friend. It can be awkward to write out a binding legal contract that outlines both of your responsibilities when you would rather just trust the person to uphold his or her end of the deal. If you give in to this temptation, it might turn out that you never had the same long-term vision of the JV at all, and it can turn into a disappointment for all involved.

Just like in a marriage, it's good to look for a partner that balances your prominent traits. Maybe you're good at keeping financial records, but you have trouble thinking of creative marketing campaigns. Look for a partner who can add some pizzazz to your joint venture. In turn, she might not be the best bookkeeper, so your skill set will compliment hers as well.

Defining your goals and vision is also vital to creating a successful JV. To aspire to a goal with another person, you must both understand what that goal is and how you can attain it. If your partner thinks your goal is to make a million dollars your first year, but you think the goal is to donate $500,000 to charity it's unlikely you will work very well together for long. It's impossible to reach two conflicting goals simultaneously.

Maintaining proper books and adhering to the business plan can make or break your JV. To start, write out a clear business plan that lines out your expected achievements and benchmarks for getting there. The plan will also define each partner's responsibilities.

In addition to a business plan, a formal agreement is necessary. The agreement serves as a contract between you and your partner. It spells out exactly what each partner's responsibility in the JV is.

Time management is also a must when going into business with someone else. It's important to know your limits and not to bite off more than you can chew. Starting a joint venture can be stressful, and you won't be able to do everything at once. Take your time and complete one project at a time, and everyone will be much better off. Make sure your life can allow for the additional stress of a joint venture before signing any agreements with a partner.

With a good partnership, common goals and excellent organization, a joint venture can be just the thing to increase your fledgling company's size, offerings, technologies and skills. Taking the time to do your homework and learn as much as you can about the process can make the joint venture work for you as hard as you are working for it.