Over the years I’ve seen a stack of partnerships go pear-shaped, but I’ve also watched how powerful it is when business owners actually get on the same page.

So, you’re in business. Maybe you’re in the early hustle phase, maybe you’ve been at it for a while, or maybe you’re sitting across the coffee table wondering whether this “business partner” thing was a stroke of genius or the beginning of a very expensive lesson.

Either way –  whether you’re a gun real estate agent looking to make the leap of faith, a legal eagle wanting to buy-in, or a couple of fellas at the pub with a crazy business idea –  there’s a business partnership alignment tool you need to know about. I call it the 5 Drivers of Business Owners, and it could just be the thing that saves your business partnership… or helps you supercharge it.

 

wait, what are these “drivers” anyway?

 

Glad you asked.

When multiple people go into business together, you’d hope everyone’s rowing the same boat, in the same direction, at the same time. But spoiler alert: that’s not always the case.

What drives you in business might be totally different to what drives your partner, and that’s not necessarily a problem… unless you ignore it. That’s where this handy business partnership alignment tool comes in.

The 5 Drivers of Business Owners are:

  1. Income – Cold hard cash. Recurring dollars in the bank. Are you chasing that weekly or monthly payday?
  2. Equity – Building long-term value. Think of this as growing a juicy business asset that pays you in your sleep.
  3. Control – Ah yes, the C-word. Not as scary as it sounds. This is all about autonomy, decision-making power, influence, doing it your way.
  4. Passion – The fire in your belly. That deep-down itch to do the thing you love, in the way you love doing it. Or, maybe you just always had a desire to start your own business.
  5. Choice – We used to call this “balance”, but let’s be honest… balance is a unicorn. Choice is about owning your time. Like choosing to sacrifice weekends now to win them back later when your business is a success.

 

why this matters more than a handshake

 

Here’s what to do: Get all the business owners in a room. Each person ranks the 5 drivers from 1 [most important] to 5 [least important] based on what matters to them right now. Remember, priorities will change over time.

Let’s say one of you ranks Control as #1 – you want to call the shots and make decisions on the fly. But your partner’s gunning for Income – they want reliable returns ASAP. Neither is wrong, but… see the tension?

These rankings spark the conversations that actually matter. They help answer big questions like:

  • Who should be the managing director?
  • Who’s the long-term asset builder vs the short-term earner?
  • Who wants to scale fast vs who wants to keep it boutique?
  • And most importantly, can we work together knowing what each of us wants out of this?

 

it’s not about matching up – it’s about owning your differences

 

Here’s the twist: You don’t want all your business partners to be driven by the same thing. That just leads to groupthink, echo chambers, and potentially very expensive mid-life crises. A healthy mix – if navigated well – can give your business resilience, agility, and perspective.

But only if you actually have the conversation.

This tool isn’t just for startups either. Use it:

  • When forming a new partnership
  • When things feel “off” between owners
  • At strategic planning sessions
  • Or even annually to see how everyone’s motivations evolve

 

final word from the frontlines

 

At businessDEPOT, we’ve seen this simple tool unlock major clarity [and sometimes prevent major drama]. So if you’re serious about building a business that works for you, not just because of you, have this chat. Click this link to download the 5 Drivers of Business Owners tool, lay it all on the table, and get real.

Because business is personal. And understanding what drives you and your partners might just be the best business decision you make this year.

Curious how the 5 Drivers tool actually works in practice? Watch below as I walk you through it.

 

 

need a hand?

If you’d like to talk through the outcomes of your 5 Drivers tool, give us a call on 1300 BDEPOT to book a chat or strategy session. We’ll guide you through the whole process.

 

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