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Written by: bluewatermarketing | January 28, 2010 4:12 AM in Web Designers & Computer Services | 518 views | Tags: marketing , project management , Web design
/* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} [endif]Pick your partners carefully
If you’re building a business, be careful to select the right partners. This statement goes beyond the obvious such as being reliable and doing quality work. We do a fair volume of web development and utilize both employees and outside contractors. Through our sales efforts and growth, we support both partners with steady work.
Early on in business, I realized what undermines everyone’s growth and financial stability is partnering with people looking for a parasitic vs. symbiotic business relationship. In symbiotic arrangement any leads, additional work and opportunity from a project are referred back to the selling agency. When a contractor forwards an opportunity, they always share in the benefit either by handling the additional work or a finder’s fee.
Most customers understand that many agencies use independent contractors, unfortunately often they try to by-pass the agency and deal direct. It is up to your partner to redirect the customer back to you.
If you and your partners are looking to grow their businesses, there needs to be a clear understanding with how referrals and additional work are handled. Be warned, if you surround your self with partners that siphon off opportunity, you are building your business on a house-of-cards. Get rid of the parasites.
Spend the time to explain your policy and make sure that you have a non-compete, not to solicit and non-disclosure agreement signed by all of your independent contractors. This will protect your organization and benefit everyone.
Jeffrey Hartman
BlueWater Marketing Group (732) 744-9119 (101)
www.BlueWMG.com
