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BUSINESS AND
FRIENDSHIPS: KEEPING THE LINES DIVIDED
by Cyndi Webb
Can business and friendships happily co-exist? Certainly, if the
lines are not crossed and respect is given from both sides. Much too
often ill feelings can arise when friends attempt to do business
with each other. One person crosses the line with their
expectations of what they feel should be acceptable behavior because
of their friendship with the business owner.
I hear time and time again how this has
happened to many business owners, especially women in business.
It can become a vicious cycle if you are not careful. What can
happen is people become accustomed to the discounts or free
offerings and when you put a stop to them, they can become bitter
and distant. All of a sudden, in their eyes, you are not the
wonderful, supportive, business
owner you used to be. You are no longer the person who gives out
discounts and "freebies". Unfortunately, some people consider a
business owner as being
supportive only when
they can benefit from that business. They look at how their business
can grow from the special services and products offered to them at a
discount or for free. There are others who feel they deserve the
special treatment because they are a family member, friend, or
associate of the business owner.
I receive many emails and phone calls from women in business who
don't know what to do about their situation. They have family and
friends taking advantage of their services or products they sell and
feel defeated because their income is not what it needs to be. What
started out as a one time favor has turned into an expectation from
them.
Awhile back I witnessed a conversation
where one person was complaining that she had approached a business
about purchasing product from them at a discount, and the company
said "no". The business owner had responded in honesty and stated
that she could not do that as she was trying to earn an income and
build a business. This makes perfect sense. How can a business grow
or create any sort of income if they are undercutting what they need
to make? What I heard next from the individual who had approached
the company for a discount surprised me even more. This person
stated their frustration that they couldn't receive a discount, then
went on to say to their associates, "But I know that I could ask any
of you for this and you would do it." I thought this was such an
unfair assumption and expectation to put on people. Could your
business survive if you gave away your product and services or if
you gave everyone a discount? Not likely. Do not expect others to
offer what you are not willing to offer yourself. And do not expect
others to offer what you may already be offering. Each business is
different. Each has different budgets, expenses and goals.
Ask yourself the following questions: Are you expecting special
treatment and rewards? Do you put your friends on the spot to extend
favors to you? Do you judge other business owners by what you
think they should be doing for you? Do you get angry when you don't
receive perks from your friends in business? If you answered yes to
any of these questions, you need to step back and look closely at
your motives and the way you conduct yourself in business.
