You may find this useful:
http://www.experts-exchang
I disagree with Plantwiz on his first point. Partnership (as in having two or more equal (or virtually equal) partners is not necessarily a bad thing). HOWEVER, ANY business you go into should have a PRE-PLANNED exit strategy - not to mention a clearly defined strategy for what happens if disaster strikes and one of you is hit by a bus and doesn't make it. Such a strategy should likely have an agreement of how a partner can leave - meaning, if they want out, the other partner can buy them out - or if profits are split 50/50 today, if someone leaves and essentially becomes a "silent" partner, you need to have an agreed upon understanding of how that will work. You can be best friends now, but you JUST DON'T KNOW what the future holds - PLAN TODAY and tomorrow will be MUCH easier.
Consider your business model. Do you want to be "break/fix" or do you want to provide "managed services"? Or perhaps both? In a break-fix business, you have to rely on a constant stream of problems to ensure income. IN THEORY, if you do your job correctly and use quality parts/devices, then your "break/fix" business won't be very profitable. Managed Services on the other hand provides the client with additional services designed to minimize the client network's down time and provides a consistent stream of income as well as somewhat predictable expenses to the client (according to other consultants I've spoken to, it's fairly easy to sell this type of service but converting existing clients can take forever. A managed services provider will frequently make use of third party services such as those from Level Platforms, Zenith Infotech, or Hounddog/GFI Max (among others). And a final note on Managed Services - if you get clients on contracts, they become assets to the business... enough clients and if you wanted to, you could later sell the business - or just the individual clients. Break/fix does not generally have such an ability, certainly not the extent of managed services.
Formulate contracts and agreements REGARDLESS of which business model you choose - using them can help ensure there is no confusion about responsibilities. In addition, whenever putting together a proposal, MAKE SURE you CLEARLY define a scope of work. Clients have a tendency to ask "can you do this" while doing what you originally proposed and then claiming they thought it was included. Have an attorney review ALL contracts - YOU write them, the attorney reviews them and advises.
Join groups and organizations - they can provide valueable information on various aspects of business. One I've been a member of is the Independent Computer Consultants Association (www.icca.org). In addition, look for local user groups and the like and attend them. The New York Small Business Server group in my area provides local consultants with some valuable information - demos from third party vendors, opportunities to partner with third parties, assistance on large projects, and if the group is REALLY good, business advice on multiple levels.
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by: PlantwizPosted on 2009-11-04 at 19:50:59ID: 25746619
First thing, don't go into a partnership. One needs to own and be in charge the other needs to be an employee with a good amount of respect and resposibility, but one needs to be 'in charge' and take on the responsiblities of ownership....that is if you value your friendship. If not, up to you, but down-the-road one or both of your goals may change and it will divide the business.
Second, do some market research. What is NEEDED in your area and what skills do you have or can you quickly acqurie to fill those needs?
Third, I'd keep another job, or means of income until things begin rocking...at least one of you two, if not both. You probably can work two semi-fulltime jobs (this new one, plus one that really pays the bills) for six months or so until you see how things are working out. Then one of you work the new business full-time while the other maintains another job...then in a year see how things are going (maybe sooner).
Have a written plan/goals of what you'd like to see happen in 1 year, 5 years, 10 years and how you believe you can make those goals happen.
Before hiring on additional employees, understand that costs associated with an employee and that you both would need almost 2.5 times the work you could handle before you can afford to hire someone.
Last point, if you are in the US, keep out the appropriate amount of taxes. Ask a CPA for advice. You DO NOT want to estimate incorrectly...it is costly.
Good luck!