Comments on: Challenges faced when looking for a Business Partner

By: pete

pete — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 00:54:14 +0000

… and @Dan .. stretch!!!!
I had serious RSI and that sorted it out for me
(… also after taking a 7month holiday)
good luck!
pete

By: pete

pete — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 00:49:34 +0000

Hi Guys,
I am a good developer (35yrs old, 2degrees, 10yrs commercial bluechip exp and programming since age 7 or 8). Started my own company 4 years ago and still take on lots of new opportunities (like you’ve mentioned) on the sideline.
The problem is that unless you can prove there will be an income .. and most projects that seem to have great possibilities actually turn out not to .. so unless proven by interest from possible clients I wouldn’t take something like this onboard.
it seems promising in the beginning and then you realise the reality.
hope thi explains how developers feel about this sort of partnership.
good luck.
pete

By: Dan Harrison

Dan Harrison — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:26:21 +0000

Hi Myra

Actually, I no longer recommend finding a business partner. The last business relationship did not end well (due to faults on both side I might add). There’s usually an imbalance of effort, or perceived imbalance of effort, which causes problems. I found a business partner from lots of hard work though.

You might consider a skills swap though…. swap something you do in return for other skills?

Dan

By: Myra

Myra — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:34:50 +0000

Hi Dan,

I am thrilled I found your article because I am in exactly the same predicament. I am looking for someone with strong computer background and as I don’t have capital, I would to partner and split the profits 50/50. You finally managed to get a partner, so would you have any tips as to how to attract the best candidates e.g. which are the best forums to post to?

By: Dan Harrison

Dan Harrison — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:59:30 +0000

Hi Ash. It’s far from easy. I’ve turned down 10 or so people. However, the chap I was most interested in working with has finally managed to get back to me (he was swamped) and things are moving forward.

I did think about finding a local partner. However, my current experience of finding a web developer partner (so far) is they are only interested in paid work, rather than partnering. I have no capital at the moment, so it’s pointless only wanting paid work.

The other issue with local developers is that very few have the skills I want (i.e. actual PHP/MySQL development skills). The majority simply take a free template, hack it, and then call themselves a web developer!!!

Dan

By: Ash

Ash — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:47:41 +0000

Hmm, interesting. I’ve found it difficult in the past to find people (via the web) who are ‘seriously’ interested in a partnership, i found it very difficult to get any venture off the ground.

Have you tried advertising offline for a locally based partner, that way you can have face to face meetings and can be more confident going forward with your partnership.