The world paid close attention to the summit between President Trump and Kim Jong Un. Regardless of its ultimate outcome, there’s a lesson going on every entrepreneur should learn. Namely, how to avoid snakes in business. The Fable of the Scorpion and the Frog They come by different names: charlatans, cheats, hustlers, swindlers, and more. For those who’ve not heard it, the fable of the scorpion and the frog weaves a short, cautionary tale. A scorpion needs to cross a river and asks a frog for a lift. The frog objects, saying the scorpion will sting and kill him. Regardless of their specific methods, con artists typically depend on their abilities to charm, intimidate, and rapidly spin convincing lies. More often than not, con artists are successful because well-meaning staff members accidentally provide crucial information in an attempt to assist them. Ultimately, the best way to protect your business from con artists is to make your team aware that they exist. CEOs and their team members should be constantly vigilant about what they share and with whom. —Forbes.com But, the scorpion points out, if he were to sting the frog, both would drown in the river. The frog reluctantly agrees and midway, the scorpion stings him. The frog asks why and the scorpion replies, “It’s my nature, I’m a scorpion.” How to Avoid Con Artists to Protect Your Business Now, con men cleverly disguise their true natures. They conceal their actual motives and that’s what makes them so difficult to spot. But, there are usually at least one or two (even more) warning signs. Here are a few ways to avoid con artists to protect your business: Listen to your gut. Con men know how to read people — it’s a necessary trait. So, they are careful to convince. Which means, it’s not easy to spot the scheme straight away. But, your gut feeling might be all you need to avoid becoming a victim. Put things into perspective. This is another way of saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” In other words, if you hear something that seems to be too good, put it into perspective. More particularly, place it up against reality. If it’s like trying to hammer a square peg into a round hole, you have your answer. Don’t hesitate to ask around. Shysters need to move on and move quickly before word spreads. While it might not be comfortable, ask around. Do a little digging if you get a funny feeling to see if others had a bad experience. It’s worth your time and effort in the long run. Trust but verify. Along the same lines is to verify. Check out what they’re selling to learn if it’s genuine or just a hustle. With a small amount of sleuthing, you can save yourself a lot of grief. How do you spot charlatans? What additional advice would you give others about avoiding con artists? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

We’ve already gone over the most common signs a business partnership is in trouble. Dave Ramsey is well known for saying that “The only ship that won’t sail is a partnership.” Indeed, far many more business partnerships fail then succeed. But, what happens after a partner leaves the company? What do you do then? 5 Steps to Immediate Take when a Business Partner Quits Your first step — and perhaps the most important step — is to take a step back. Don’t panic. Even if it’s abrupt, now is not the time to come apart at the seams. Though easier said than done, it’s imperative to remain calm in order to think clearly. If you don’t maintain control, it will only add to the anxiety and uncertainty. At the beginning of any business partnership, the partners usually envision a long-term relationship. Unfortunately, expectations notwithstanding, longevity is often limited; the goals and expectations of the individual partners will change at least to some degree over a period of time. This is why an exit strategy must be developed by and between all partners. It will ensure that if one partner leaves the company, his or her absence will not destroy the integrity of the company and its ability to stay afloat. —Entrepreneur.com Second, get in the know. Jump into his or her schedule, work product, etc, and find out exactly what’s been going on. This is where you’ll learn what he or she was actually doing. And it could reveal some very upsetting findings. Although, if his or her work was exceptional, that too might also cause you to panic because now it’s an even bigger role to fill. What to Do when a Business Partner Leaves When a business partner leaves the company, you not only have to remain calm and learn exactly what’s been happening in his or her roll, you’ll also have to do the following for the sake of continuity: Assess what’s necessary. Next, you’ll need to take on at least some of his or her job roles. It’s really dependent on the particular situation, but you might consider absorbing one or more of his or her roles in the business. In the alternative, it might be better to parcel the work out to others within the company, or even outsource. Delegate responsibilities. If your former partner had people under him or her, these people will likely have a wealth of knowledge. They are also ideal candidates to delegate responsibilities. That will help to keep things going without really missing a beat. Formulate a plan for the future. Once you’ve filled the void and things settle down, it’s time to think about what to do in the future. Even if you don’t take on a new business partner, it’s important to have a continuity plan for the sake of the company. This is where an experienced business consultant or coach’s advice can really come in handy. What other advice do you have? Please comment and let us know your thoughts and experiences! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.