by Chris Reich | Jul 23, 2026 | Family Business, Partnership Advice, Partnership Disputes, Partnership Problems, Problem with Business Partner, Top Post
A 50/50 business partner deadlock is a decision failure, not automatically the end of the company. Mediation helps equal owners identify exactly what is blocked, separate business facts from accumulated grievances, and negotiate a workable path – renewed decision rules, a division of authority, a buyout, or an orderly separation. The mediator does not impose the result; the owners retain control of the outcome.
by Chris Reich | Jul 18, 2026 | Buyout Advice, Partnership Advice, Partnership Disputes, Partnership Problems, Problem with Business Partner
Sadly, the ugly reality is that if your partner complains but doesn’t offer solutions, he’s no longer a partner. A wise lawyer once taught me this important lesson when he was drawn into a nasty partnership dispute that I was working on. One of the partners was always complaining that the other was never bringing ideas to the table. The lawyer, after listening to the whining for 15 minutes said, “Tom, you need to learn to deal with the partner you have, not the one you wish you had.”
by Chris Reich | Apr 20, 2026 | Business Disputes, Business Tip, Buyout Advice, Family Business, General Business, Partnership Advice, Partnership Disputes, Partnership Problems
As you see, a contract can be legal yet not binding. And, the most important take away is that a promise, even if written up and signed, is not binding. If an agreement is not binding, it isn’t enforceable. I assume you want your agreements between you and your partner(s) to be legal, binding, and enforceable. Let’s look at the pieces that must be included to make a valid, binding contract.
by Chris Reich | Mar 31, 2026 | Family Business, Partnership Advice, Partnership Disputes, Partnership Problems, Problem with Business Partner
Before I give you the secret to easier and successful negotiation, let me explain a few things that don’t work. In fact, these will work against you. From years of watching people negotiate buying or selling, trying to change processes, or reaching general agreement, I have seen what works and what doesn’t when partners are negotiating with each other.
by Chris Reich | Mar 23, 2026 | Family Business, Partnership Advice, Partnership Disputes, Partnership Problems, Problem with Business Partner
I’ve found a common problem with communication when I’m conducting mediation meetings. People always think they know what the other party is thinking. They’ll say things like, “I know Bill won’t like this, but I think…” Opening your thoughts with that sort of lead in is going to put ‘Bill’ on edge before you even make your point. Never start by negatively setting the stage. So then, how should you start a conversation about a hard subject? In this post I’ll give you the 7 steps to conduct less tense and more fruitful meetings with your business partner.
by Chris Reich | Jan 19, 2026 | Business Disputes, Buyout Advice, Family Business, Partnership Advice, Partnership Agreement, Partnership Disputes, Partnership Problems
To be fair, many Operating Agreements have at least minimal language regarding a Partner’s voluntary exit from the Partnership. But, most of the time, those clauses are so vague they make the situation worse.
