Balance & Partnerships - The Silent Entrepreneur - Issue 2

Setting up a business is tough. Anyone who says it isn’t is completely kidding themselves, has more money than sense or hasn’t ever tried to set up before. Social media glorifies the hard work and sacrifice it really takes to get a business going, not even guaranteeing any success. In our case, we set up Guru Technology Limited over 2 years ago with an initial modest outlay and my own brothers goodwill and trust more than anything! We did however have a lot of energy, experience in the industry and a fantastic idea that would start to change customers perceptions of telco/insurance businesses for ever.

Setting up a business in any circumstance without the right business partner is suicide, but what makes for a balanced partnership between business partners?

In our case, both me and John complement each other very well. I think in life its natural and easy to gravitate towards people that are very much like you. By doing this you get confidence that others agree with everything you say and everything you want to do. You rarely get a “no” to a question. You are seldom challenged…?

This may sound like utopia for some, but it breeds limitations and a false sense of success and will normally lead to laziness and failure long term. It’s a super risky option to take! Let me explain that point, using a working example of me and my business partner John and some of our traits and ways of working.

Don’t get me wrong (with the obviously exception of the last point) having different ways of doing things, opinions, and ways of going about things sometimes can be challenging. Me and John have had a few occasions where we both believe passionately in our position and its motives and ways of approaching a certain task. One thing I’ve thankfully never had to consider in our decision making process is personal gain. If you’re on the same journey, built of the same DNA and believe in the overall vision with absolute certainty and clarity, there is a bigger picture than just getting your own way… Its about finding the best way. The right solution for the customer. The best thing to do for the business and its people.

With us having our DNA as a strong basis of decision making, it makes challenging topics and conversations pretty easy really, because we have something substantial to base our decisions on. We don’t always agree, but we always try to do what is right.

One vital but contentious element that’s important to talk about is money. People skirt around money too much for my liking. Whether it’s good or bad, honesty surrounding finances are paramount to engender trust long term and a partnership that stands the test of time.

What you get overall with a business partner that brings something different is the same basic beliefs manifesting themselves in different ways. Strengths become super strengths and weaknesses become strengths together, which for our business works very well considering we model ourselves on being different in an industry stuck in the 00’s in the way it respects ( or doesn’t with some) its customers, staff and supply chain.

Guru wouldn’t be what it is today and what it will be in the coming years without open, diverse and passionate leadership. I’m grateful for John and everything he has done for me personally and professionally over the years and I’m very lucky to call him a great friend and awesome business partner. It helps that we have a history of friendship and a solid professional relationship spanning back over 15 years. There is nothing to prove to each other we haven’t already proved, no ego, no nonsense, just pure dual focus and determination to get to our destination on our journey with our fantastic people.

Takeaways.

?· In a business partner, find someone with the same DNA and basic beliefs and values as you

·?There is no good time to start up, so just get on with it

·?Engage and promote a difference of opinions and have a flexible and open leadership approach

·?Do not start up a business with someone without point 1 – it won’t work

Arran Kirton - The Silent Entrepreneur