There is NO Friendship In Business?

There is NO Friendship In Business?

Generally, there is no friendship in business, but there can be exceptions to that rule.

My character is one where I would love to do business with friends, nothing more. I have always valued loyalty, the strength of relationships, togetherness, and sharing the same values. I have been best friends for over 35 years. Nevertheless, I have realized that as I have got older and wiser unless your business relationship is written down, the stakes and the contributions are agreed to in advance with potential exit plans, it can become complicated and messy.

A friendship's continuity depends on whether both parties are still committed to working together. There is give and take, being there for one another, and compromise, which only involves friends.

Business decisions should be based on what is best for the company. Business partners, or friends within the business, are separate entities. Third parties are involved in the decisions made about the business. When a friend/business partner fails to deliver what was expected of him/her, this becomes an issue.

Everyone should be treated with respect and consideration. Keeping grounded and treating people as you would like to be treated will help you build friendships and grow your business. By doing so, you are establishing yourself, your reputation, and your character. If you appear stiff and aloof, you will be viewed with skepticism and mistrust.?

When we buy from people we respect and trust, we tend to do business with them.

You won't get the same results from building a friendship compared to a substantial business relationship.

Friendships in business aren't necessary, but being friendly is. It's important to understand that. It is possible to have a valuable business relationship without being friends.

Some believe that the first step to building a business relationship is to develop a friendship.

It takes time for friendships and business relationships to develop and flourish. A business relationship remains focused on business, and your sales results reflect that. We need to be friendly, of course. Our goal should be to be welcoming, sociable, open, and pleasant to everyone. Building a valuable business relationship that is based on business needs is usually the first requirement.

Friendships can be ruined by business. There is a big difference between being friends with someone and building something together. Even as a business partner, working side by side can lead to conflicts.

You will eventually hit a point where you will lock horns, this can be about the direction of the companies, the monies involved in what you both take out and what you both put in and budgets.

The more money at stake, the greater the emotions involved. Whether we like it or not, money changes people. They can get protective and become bitter, even in some cases vengeful. The courts are filled with cases of bad business partnerships, and money often trumps friendship.

In addition, the question of how much each party is contributing and performing is also relevant. It may be that one party feels undervalued or believes they are doing more than the other. The person may feel they are doing more than the other person and feel frustrated because of that, or they want more control and there are control tensions at work. What do you say to your friend when they aren't performing, or don't have what it takes and the business relationship must end?

The saying goes: “It's good to have friends in business, but don't go into business with your friends.” At least not if you really care about your friends.”

Professional life is all about achieving goals and making money, while personal life is all about emotions.

Emotional bonding can become a barrier sometimes which may create an impact while making important decisions

It may be good for business, but it may affect your friendship, and vice versa.

Friendship Does Not Mean A Successful Business Partnership:

Money, power dynamics, and the strains of business can all impact your relationship if you start a business with a friend or family member.

1. Family and friends rarely prepare for worst-case scenarios

2. Clarity failing on positions:

Almost all friendships form during school days, university days, around mutual hobbies, introductions, or even at work. As a result, there are no predetermined positions. However, this cannot be said of business partnerships, which are forged by choice and constructed with specific roles and responsibilities.

3. Aligning the different business goals between you.

Your motivation/drivers for starting a business are likely different from those of a friend or family member.

4. There is a higher failure rate

An estimated 50% of small businesses fail within their first 24 months of operation, according to industry statistics and successful entrepreneur Theo Paphitis.?

5. Family and friends can complicate finances.

An old adage suggests that you should never lend money to friends or family members, and the same principle applies to starting a business.

6 Substantial Financial Burdens:

In the beginning of a business, sharing and pooling financial resources can seem attractive and helpful.

There are times when people aren't fully aware of the costs of starting a business and not receiving a regular salary from a job. It is natural to share this financial burden with a trusted partner who can also add strength, experience, and leadership.

When starting a business with an immediate family member, you will likely need to draw upon funds from a more restricted source and place a greater strain on your finances.


Johnny Nash Contact Details & Enquiries:


  1. To reach out to me for consultations with your company, or for recruitment.
  2. Email me: [email protected]For coaching inquiries:
  3. Email me at: [email protected]
  4. To follow my content on Instagram,?or TikTok: Follow me on my user handle: johnnynash121
  5. My Book: "The Secrets of The Sauce: Ending Career Misery"


Recruitment & Careers Club Podcast Episodes:

Apple Podcast Link:

https://podcasts.apple.com/cz/podcast/recruitment-careers-club/id1590926819

Spotify Podcast Link:

https://open.spotify.com/show/7jbaLqpIFUj0rC4AWfYRUa

It is true that there is no friendship in business but I highly commend that you ( people ) do business with friends only if possible. Thus you at least will be served a healthy and decent meal that will minimize the risk of having a stomach upset.

Raffaella Stevens FCIM

Founder | Business & Commercial Advisor | Quantum Commerce Marketing Innovator | Ego-less Leadership Advocate |

4 个月

I think it depends on cultural background and generation. Older generations might say yes there is friendship at work but quite frankly this post-post pandemic world calls for no illusions and establish clear boundaries in both private and public life

Behaving towards other people like we would like them to behave towards us is common mistake. We should behave towards others according to their personality profile. It is also called natural way of selling.

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Johnny Nash的更多文章

  • Does Ego Sabotage Success?

    Does Ego Sabotage Success?

    What is PRIDE? Pride is a universal signal of status, according to studies. Pride is an emotional response to something…

    4 条评论
  • What Makes A Winner?

    What Makes A Winner?

    When it comes to what makes you a winner in life, many people think of it as financial and associate it with numbers…

    2 条评论
  • Are we drowning in our self-obsession?

    Are we drowning in our self-obsession?

    How do we explain the self-obsession and self-absorption of people today? What does it mean to be "self-absorbed"? An…

    1 条评论
  • 2030's Workplace

    2030's Workplace

    According to independent studies published, the workplace in the 2030's will be very different from the one seen today.…

  • The Twin Saboteurs Within: Unraveling Self-Criticism And Self-Sabotage For Success

    The Twin Saboteurs Within: Unraveling Self-Criticism And Self-Sabotage For Success

    We are our own worst enemies. It's not just a cliché; it's a psychological battleground inside the minds of countless…

    1 条评论
  • Risk Taking vs Fear, Which One Wins & How To Overcome it?

    Risk Taking vs Fear, Which One Wins & How To Overcome it?

    Risk - what is it? Risk-taking allows you to learn, fail, grow, and explore new things. Taking risks and pushing…

  • Personal Versus Professional Power Dynamics

    Personal Versus Professional Power Dynamics

    What is POWER? Power is the ability to influence others' behavior. Our attention is drawn to powerful people because we…

    1 条评论
  • The Unmistakable Signals: When It's Time to Embrace Change in Your Career

    The Unmistakable Signals: When It's Time to Embrace Change in Your Career

    When we are at the crossroads of our professional lives, there are often soft whispers that prompt us to make a…

    1 条评论
  • 11 Tips To Edge The Competition In Business!

    11 Tips To Edge The Competition In Business!

    1. Offer More Value Try to reflect on the problems that your potential customers have.

    1 条评论
  • Top 12 Tips To Land Your Dream Career Position & Role

    Top 12 Tips To Land Your Dream Career Position & Role

    1) Develop your professional brand Your professional branding is the sum of your experiences: who you are, what you do,…

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了