Business partnerships are like marriage; essential to the success of both partners but sometimes fraught with issues. If after you've done the research and crunched the numbers you've decided that a partner would benefit your company, then you will need to invest ample time and care into the selection process.
Picking a partner is more art than science, as it involves compatibility on multiple levels. Prospective partners will need to compare their skill sets, competencies, ideologies, communication styles and work ethics, but they will also need to take honest stock of whether they will enjoy working with each other. Personal rapport is as essential element in the most successful business partnerships in today's corporate world.
Home business authors Paul and Sarah Edwards advise people looking for partners to "date first." They suggest that you "engage in some of the other forms of business collaboration, such as jointly bidding on projects, subcontracting with another firm or principal, engaging in cross-marketing efforts, or making mutual referrals. It's a lot easier to find someone for these more limited risks than to find a full partner." from INC Magazine, April 2001
So how does one go about looking for "dates"? You could do what people looking for romantic partners do and join an online community where you can begin to identify people with whom you might like to collaborate. These Peer to Peer networks are a critical tool in building the contacts you will need in order to find that perfect fit.
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