There have been plenty of times that I’ve seen certain people in the business build a successful website, and I admired their vision, work ethic and execution. On more than one occasion, I’ve even said to myself, “I’d like to work with that person if I ever have an opportunity.”
With all the consolidation that has been occurring in the domain industry, it would be smart to continue to see various individuals and small companies putting their collective heads together to create something truly unique. I am sure that Bido is going to be very successful without even knowing exactly what it is, simply because Sahar, Darren, Ron and Jeff are involved, and these guys know the domain industry.
More often than not, domain investors and developers work individually or with a single partner. While this can be productive, it doesn’t always allow for new ideas to germinate. Working with a partner can teach all parties new things and new ways to solve problems. As the saying goes, two heads are better than one.
Obviously for this to work, the partners have to be able to work with each other, which can pose many challenges in and of itself. My advice is to be upfront with a potential partner if it doesn’t look like things will work out. A partnership can be a great thing, and it can help propel your business and the domain industry forward.
Partnerships can also be a bad thing. Make sure you can trust the person an that they are responsible too.
http://sushifinder.com/finderHome.asp
***UPDATED BY ELLIOT***
Great point. Thanks for sending the link.
Partnerships are essential in the domain industry. I’ve made many friends and many tight bonds. I couldn’t imagine accelerating without another head to think with.
Tia Wood
Good partnerships are extremely difficult to find and can be a nightmare to dissolve if you get into a bad one. Realistically, one out of 50-75 serious sit-down discussions may result in something that will move forward to bigger and better things. The chemistry has to be there or you will never get past the “Honeymoon” phase (3-6 months).
On the flip side, when they’re good they can be very good. Our partnership with Ammar Kubba and Kevin Vo (TRAFFICZ) to develop our Cost.com has been going strong since we met them in October 2006. They’re fantastic guys, we all work well together and we look forward to every meeting with them.
I believe that an important step forward for the domain industry will take place when there is a viable and repeatable model for individual entrepreneurs to partner with domain owners to create outstanding developed Internet properties.
Most domain investors have far too many domains to ever manage the development of them single-handedly. Moving forward, development partnerships are going to be a key driver of the domain industry.
Partnership problems are intrinsic with problem people. I have three partnerships with three different people. There are long standing relationships, complete trust, and willingness to take bullets for one another in each of these partnerships. I’m not worried at all. Yes, bad things happen — but if you start off with long ugly docs and lawyers, consider that you might be with partnering with the wrong people. Sometimes, its necessary – but not every time. If there are friendships and “friends of friends” at risk if things fall apart, combined with a desire and realistic possibility of making money – things should steer themselves to any possible victory.