How to Get Out of a Business Partnership Professionally
By: Victoria Hill
A business partnership is a great way to start a company. Through a partnership, a business can have many sources of capital to make it survive the test of time. The initial resources also give the startup an advantage in the market. However, there comes a time when things are not going as you had anticipated, hence making you want out of the partnership.
What is a Partnership in Business?
A partnership is a legal model of business operation that is regulated by one or more individuals. These individuals share profits in the ratio of the amount of capital they contributed to the business. In case there is a loss, the partners are bound to feel the weight equally, but this might be determined by the terms and conditions that they have in the business plan.
One of the questions that individuals ask when they no longer want to maintain their partnership is: how do I get out of a business partnership?
How to Get Out of a Business Partnership
If you are in a partnership kind of business, but you feel that you are not in the right place or you need to take care of other things, you can always opt-out. The problem, however, is how to pull out without causing any hard feelings or making your colleagues feel like you are a traitor. Read on to discover some of the best techniques you can use.
1. Get ready for an unexpected future
Even if things might seem right in the initial stages of the formation of the business, it is always advisable to get ready for the unexpected future. Things might not always remain as they are in the long-run. Most startups that do well have some members who broke up from the partnership professionally and moved on to greater things that worked for them.
2. Think about your priorities
When tension keeps rising, and you are thinking about quitting, sit down and evaluate your priorities as a business partner. This should include some of the things that matter to you inside and outside the business. Think about the financial consequences that you might have to deal with due to the decision that you are about to make. Also, you have to forecast what might happen to you in the next five years in case you go ahead and split from the group.
3. Ask for professional help
Some decisions are so tough that you might not take care of them on your own. Consider seeking professional assistance. Some people who can help with the process include dispute resolution lawyers or some individuals who had made a similar step before. Let them share with you their experience, the challenges, and how they overcame them. If this is not the right thing for you, they will let you know. But if you need it anyway, they can share some tips to help you break up with your team honorably.
4. Approach your team
Whichever the situation, these are the people that helped you to make some steps in life. Even as you plan to quit, you should inform them. Have a genuine talk with them and share your situation with your partners. Make it clear that you enjoyed working with them, and that you appreciate all the good things they contributed in your life and career. But let them know that your decision is final. If they are professionals, they will understand and let you go.
The Final Thought
Some partnership disputes are best solved when you quit and try something else with your life. However, even after you have left, it is advisable to keep in touch with your friends, even if you might not be interested in doing business with them again.
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