The Partnership Charter: How To Start Out Right With Your New Business Partnership (Or Fix The One You're In) — David Gage, Basic Books, 2004  

Read Chapter One: “The Rewards (and Risks) of Going into Business Together“

Read Chapter Two: “Starting down the Right Path: A Partnership Charter“

Millions of people co-own closely held companies, family businesses, and business partnerships, but establishing them and keeping them together is never easy. Here, finally, is the guide they have been waiting for. From psychologist in business mediation expert David Gage, the Partnership Charter is a comprehensive guide to creating and sustaining successful business and professional partnerships. It makes the job of being partners in any type of partnership in any industry a lot easier and more rewarding.

The centerpiece of Gage's approach is the Partnership Charter, a document that thoroughly addresses both the business and personal sides that exist in every closely held business. The charter clearly outlines the goals, expectations, responsibilities, and relationships of the principals and helps them address such sensitive issues as personal styles and values, money, ownership, and power. Potential sources of conflict are identified, and suggested resolutions are discussed.

The book is illustrated with engaging stories drawn from BMC's 15 year experience mediating partner disputes. There are also interviews with partners like Ben and Jerry, Wolfgang Puck and Barbara Lazaroff, and the co-founders of such successful businesses as EMC and OfficeMax. The Partnership Charter dispels common myths and presents a practical framework for launching, building, and sustaining a thriving business partnership

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