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In a recent VMA staff meeting the subject of the similarities between running a business and being married came up. In many ways the same issues that cause problems in a marriage are the ones that cause problems in business: money, distribution of work, employees (children), and dwindling passion or interests that grow apart. Unresolved problems cause us heart burn and insomnia regardless of whether they’re business-related or personal.

On the flip side the same things that lead to successful businesses are frequently present in successful marriages. They start with shared values and goals; with a purpose deeper than your own self interest; and perhaps most of all a long term commitment to making it work. 

While starting a business and getting married are fairly simple processes, it’s growing the business and staying married that requires real work. A few of the strategies to a long and happy marriage are communication, being able to say you’re sorry, and of course never forgetting your anniversary.  What are some of the strategies you’ve employed to sustain your company’s growth and longevity?
  

Chuck Violand

 


Comments

Tom Cline
08/18/2011 13:51

Chuck,
What a great topic. Whoever brought that up at the VMA staff meeting was truly inspired !

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Bill Shea link
08/19/2011 08:41

This past week my wife and I celebrated our 30th anniversary. As we talked about the past 30 years I realized that there was a comfortableness about being together. We don't act like we did when we were dating. I admit I'm not always on my best behavior. There are times that we work/live together and don't say much of anything to each other. There is security in being comfortable. The same can be said at work. We have long term employees that know their job and often do their work independently. (A plug for staff meetings Tim)
At our anniversary dinner we reminisced about the things that brought us together. The shared dreams and excitement of living the adventure of life together. It was amazing how quickly our passion for each other and the goals we are working toward broke through the comfortableness of our lives.
This can be a constant challenge for our companies too. Remembering the dreams and goals we had and the passion that drove us to take risks. Too often we get comfortable with our day to day work or simply overwhelmed with surviving to think about why we do what we do. What would it take to add a little passion back to our work?

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