I took your advice, but the damage is done...

12 years ago

I can relate to this... I have tried to help out friends before by trying to give them some input in my business and it's nearly always ended badly.

The other day I caught myself wondering which of my friends would I actually employ if they came to me for a job- and I realized that there was just one person!

I offered to pay my sister to write some articles for me when she was out of work and told her I needed them done in 5 days. 5 days later all I got was a load of excuses about how busy she had been, how she had to go and do this or that, how she had had computer problems... I suppose it can work out for some folks, but for me it wasn't worth it either.

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laurencewins

12 years ago

I have actually employed my mum as a telemarketer once. She did a good job but quit after a couple of weeks as she hated the job. But she did well while she was there.

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fluffythewondercat 12 years ago

Hoo-ah, I need a drink.

Sorry it didn't work out. Everybody wants to help a friend but nobody ever thinks it will turn out badly.

fLufF
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Yoyok179

12 years ago

I think It's good idea to separate our live and doing bussines

for some reason, more confortable if we do bussines with the people outside of the family or friend

but friend and family will give us great advice

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AmandaT

12 years ago

It can work out sometimes, but there is a huge chance of something going wrong.

My husband works with me and has for the last month or so. I find him clients to write for and he writes books for Kindle that I format and publish for him. It works pretty well but we have had a few clashes over deadlines.

If you do decide to involve friends and family, set clear boundaries. Make sure they know that if you encounter certain problems, you are going to have to end the work arrangement. That is the only way I have seen it work.

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Scott Henderson

12 years ago

Originally Posted by AmandaT

If you do decide to involve friends and family, set clear boundaries. Make sure they know that if you encounter certain problems, you are going to have to end the work arrangement. That is the only way I have seen it work.

100% right on. Clear boundaries is a must, each person must know their role and who is in charge of what. No gray areas, it's black and white.

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Emily B

12 years ago

Originally Posted by AmandaT

It can work out sometimes, but there is a huge chance of something going wrong.

My husband works with me and has for the last month or so. I find him clients to write for and he writes books for Kindle that I format and publish for him. It works pretty well but we have had a few clashes over deadlines.

If you do decide to involve friends and family, set clear boundaries. Make sure they know that if you encounter certain problems, you are going to have to end the work arrangement. That is the only way I have seen it work.

I agree with this. I don't think there's any friends I could count on hiring for anything. There's a select few family members I could, because I know their work ethic. Friends and family tend to be more lenient when employing each other, which can really hurt deadlines and projects.

Hopefully your friendship is still salvageable. Good luck to you on that.

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Dan Curtis

12 years ago

Well, I see it differently.

I only have what you put in your post to go on, but from what you said you abandoned your friend. It should not come as any surprise that he is upset with you.

You say you go back several years. You were working on a project together. And then based on advice from strangers you gave it up and left him cold.

It is a point of honor not to abandon those who are counting on you. Perhaps you can do something to make up for the damage that you have done.

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vtotheyouknow

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Dan Curtis

Well, I see it differently.

I only have what you put in your post to go on, but from what you said you abandoned your friend. It should not come as any surprise that he is upset with you.

You say you go back several years. You were working on a project together. And then based on advice from strangers you gave it up and left him cold.

It is a point of honor not to abandon those who are counting on you. Perhaps you can do something to make up for the damage that you have done.

There's more to it than that, Dan, but I can certainly see how you might make that conclusion based on the limited info I gave. Thanks for the honesty :-)

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maxwylly

12 years ago

This is why I was usually wary of my friends asking for my help. Unless I see that they were really determined then I usually say, I can't help them.

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Jtraits

12 years ago

If something hasn't happened for a reason, then it's probably for the best and there's a reason why some ideas and people from the past don't make it to our future. From now, you will think twice and choose more wisely in case you want to start business with someone

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MaggieDavid

12 years ago

Friendship and business just don't mix. Been there done that and it ended up badly. Be thankful, you pulled the plug in time.

Hope you find the right business partner soon

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Social App Zone

12 years ago

I don't agree, my Dog does Fiverr tricks and never complains!!

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IGP

Banned 12 years ago

i had the same experience. Still to this day i wonder why the friends never get it and compromise. Relationships are to build and share. I think if everyone studied communication before joining something with someone, allot of things would be avoided. Im still friends with my buddy but he is still on the other side of things........

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alistair

12 years ago

Originally Posted by vtotheyouknow

He emailed me back and said some hurtful things, referencing the relative flacidness of a certain bodily protrusion of mine.

Yeah I have to say I thought the same thing after seeing your pic but I wouldn't worry too much about it man, God gave you that nose so just be proud of it. Only joking mate.

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Andyhenry

12 years ago

Originally Posted by vtotheyouknow

If you're new to IM and business in general, listen to the experienced Warriors on here. There are a few universal truths that always come around:

- Build a list
- Build relationships
- Don't be a d-bag
- Add tons of value
- Don't bring friends and family into your business life

Sorry for your bad experience but I have to strongly disagree.

I went into business with my best mate from School (who I've known for 30 years) about 5 years ago and it's been amazing. He's still my best mate and we've made a ton of money together. Being in business together gives us another reason to meet up. We live 300 miles apart but meeting up to have a business meeting regularly means we're always in contact and don't go long between visits. When I've been traveling I always buy him some nice whiskey at the airport and tell him how fantastic he is. He works from home and makes more money than he ever did in a normal job - it's all good.

Just because some people can't handle being in business with their friends doesn't make it a universal law.

In fact, if you can't be in business with your friends then maybe it's a symptom that there's a problem with your business model. There are a lot of people who try to be someone else at work to who they are at home. If THAT is how you do business then yes, you may struggle to work with friends. If you're the same person in and out of work then why wouldn't you want to be making money and enjoying more time with your friend?

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vtotheyouknow

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Andyhenry

Sorry for your bad experience but I have to strongly disagree.

I went into business with my best mate from School (who I've known for 30 years) about 5 years ago and it's been amazing. He's still my best mate and we've made a ton of money together. Being in business together gives us another reason to meet up. We live 300 miles apart but meeting up to have a business meeting regularly means we're always in contact and don't go long between visits. When I've been traveling I always buy him some nice whiskey at the airport and tell him how fantastic he is. He works from home and makes more money than he ever did in a normal job - it's all good.

Just because some people can't handle being in business with their friends doesn't make it a universal law.

In fact, if you can't be in business with your friends then maybe it's a symptom that there's a problem with your business model. There are a lot of people who try to be someone else at work to who they are at home. If THAT is how you do business then yes, you may struggle to work with friends. If you're the same person in and out of work then why wouldn't you want to be making money and enjoying more time with your friend?

Quite thought-provoking ideas, Andy, thanks for sharing them. :-)