James's Blog
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Vacations.....
Woahhhh what a weekend.....This weekend my friends and I had a 'reunion' of sorts...the 'ole high buddies....how things have changed...A clash of egos...man ohh man...so what started to supposed to be a fun weekend in so kali turned ugly....some people wanted to do this, some people wanted to do that....Who would have thought after 5 yrs....perspectives on what 'fun' was consequently different between friends. Time does change people...and I guess we're all getting older. In the end though, we found a way to compromise....friends of 20 yrs still remained friends. We couldn't let one weekend of madness turn something so great into nothing at all. But here, I want to pose a question---Will Friends always be there for you??? Even the best of them? I have a few best of buddies---from elementary and high school...and I guess I've been lucky to keep them...some move on due to their roads thru life....but expectations are that you don't expect anybody to be there for you 100%...The only friend you'll always have is yourself....so take care of yourself ;) -
Friends in Business Releationships.....
Today we ponder the technicalities of friends doing business...of late I've developed some business arrangements with close personal friends and tension begin to arise when one partner within the group doesn't 'own up' to their responsibilities....the difficulties of keeping a friend a friend while being a hard nosed partner in a partnership---it's a fine line we all walk....As always when it comes to these tenuous situations you must be straight and communicate openly the situations with all parties involved. It's really hard to cut someone off and still remain a friend--they ask the question "I'm your friend, why can't you cut me some slack"----but on the flip side----would a friend disrespect a good friend in the first place and take advantage of you? All parties must understand that when they do business with friends/family, it's a tightrope--everything is in writing, egos will clash--but as long as the clear channel of communication is there---solutions/compromises should arise...Don't take anything personal and sure to understand how it feels to be the other person. If you are not able to split business/pleasure, don't ever ever go into business with friends or family........