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.

Social media is a great way to promote your business. But, it alone certainly isn’t enough. You have to practice self-promotion and do it right to make it really pay off. Sure, you can effectively use social media to increase brand awareness. However, it does lack a personal touch. That’s why you need to get out and represent your company. The problem with this is, most people just don’t know where to start. Others make the mistake of over doing it. Still a few more tepidly practice self-promotion but only with great restraint because they don’t want to give off the wrong impression. Self-Promotion and Selfishness Make no mistake about it, self-promotion is paramount to growing your business. What you need to avoid is confusing it with being selfish. You see, self-promotion isn’t really about being selfish. (Unless you’re totally selling for your own benefit alone.) In other words, you shouldn’t feel guilty about promoting your brand because it has something of value to offer. That’s the whole purpose of being in business — to fulfill a need. Marketing is a lot like fishing—some companies cast a wide net to scoop up whatever they can get, while others use bait and wait it out until the right customer takes a nibble. To be successful, you need a combination of both techniques to not only grab a large number of new customers at once, but to also allow new business to continuously trickle in through referrals, word of mouth, and general curiosity. —Forbes.com So, don’t make the big mistake of thinking it’s all about you. Keep in mind that your customers get something valuable in return. And, both of you benefit from each transaction. This means that it’s a win-win scenario. You just have to see it for what it truly is and not fall prey to thinking it’s wrong to make a profit. Only when you don’t deliver on your promises is it unethical (and probably illegal). Best Ways to Practice Self-Promotion Now, let’s get to the most effective ways to practice self-promotion. You should know how to behave because your actions will definitely speak louder than words. Here are some helpful tips for how to practice self-promotion: Practice awareness. You can’t network in a vacuum. If you’re promoting your business, there is more than one person in the room. Keep this fact in mind. You need to read the other person or group and interact accordingly. If you fly blind, you’ll inevitably hit a wall. Always be gracious. Remember that polite manners go a long way. But just because someone gives you an opening to talk about your business doesn’t mean they are asking for a shameless sales pitch. Keep it short, succinct, and kind. Offer something interesting. Sometimes, it’s very tempting to rattle off numbers. Or, go into details. But remember it’s important that what you share is interesting. Otherwise, you’re not only boring the other person, you’re undermining your own efforts. Never be dishonest. Of course, you should always be honest about what you have done and can deliver. Don’t embellish or exaggerate because it will come back to bite you. Besides, if you mislead someone, the relationship begins with a lie. And, that’s never good for business. How do you promote your business? What self-promotion tactics work best for you? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.