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Friends and Business!!!
Discussions : General discussion : Friends and Business!!!
CustomCandles wrote:
Hi all,
I thought I would start a new topic and see what everyone thinks.
Can you have friends in business???
I am asking this because I have found myself in a very sticky situation.
I recently got my friend a job for the company that I work for. We dont work at the same spot, and it is not a party plan either. This is a retail business.
Well the company decided that they needed to put on a Senior Manager for Victoria.
We have both applied for the position.
Dont get me wrong. I dont have a problem with this friend applying for the same position as myself. I say good on her for wanting to go forward.
My problem is that this so called frined has now cracked the s***** with me big time.
I have been asked by me Regional Manager to do a few things, on the quiet, if you know what I mean.
One of them was to ring up an applicant and arrange a interview for a new position.
Well this applicant was a friend of my friend.
And boy, oh boy have I coped it from this so called friend.
I get a text message saying that "True frineds dont deceive each other and dont keep secrets either!!!
So what should I have done in this situation?? Do as I am asked by me Regional and not say anything........ Or ring my friend and say I have been asked to so something, but dont tell anyone coz you are not supose to know either........
I have know lost this friendship because of this situation , and I know that I am in for one very rocky road when the Senior Managers position is announced next week.
Yes, I have got the new position. I would have thought that she would have been happy for me. Instead I can see that will be problems ahead.
So my question is..... Friendships and Business...... do they mix.....
From this past experience of mine, I would have to say no!!!
I cant see myself getting another friend a job with my in the near future.....
Looking forward to hearing what you all think.
Sharon.
cheryl replied:
No...Mixing Business and Friend's never works.
ExMember148 replied:
yes agree, friends and business need to be seperate....you know what they say, don't mix business with pleasure
Chris replied:
I have not had a situation such as you describe (working together and promotions involved) but I have got friends jobs in the past with other people I know that are looking for staff. I got burned a couple of times so now I don't go there. It unfortunately is a sign of the times though - that a friend does not have enough respect to do the right thing. Especially where my relationship with their boss is involved too.
Sorry to hear you are having these problems but look on the bright side - you dont want to be around 'friends' that can't be happy for you when you move up in your goals.
Chin up and enjoy your new role!
CustomCandles replied:
Thanks.
I sure have learnt my lesson there. And yes you are right, I don't need a friend that is not going to be supportive and happy for my advancement. I just hope that she does not cause me any troubles once the news is announced.
Thanks again
Sharon.
anadesigns replied:
NO friends & business never really work unless you have a very strong bond which can withstand anything that business/friendship relationship can throw your way for it too survive
I am lucky that I have a very strong bond/connection with my biz partner & over the past 2 years we have been able to survive everything that has come our way & our friendship will always be put first b4 our biz (work will come & go BUT true friends will always be there till the very end)however we have a connection that is very rare in this lifetime so I guess we are lucky
I am pleased that you are going up in the world mate & things are well for you in the new position you hold & I am sure u are doing the right thing but in this lifetime the only friends u want to have are the ones that SUPPORT u & are there for you NO MATTER WHAT & if you do have people who cant be happy for you then there is NO POINT in you socialising with them & if your friend whom you employed cant be happy for you then u have to ask yourself IS SHE REALLY YOUR FRIEND
I have learnt ALOT when it comes to friendship & in recent times I have found out who my TRUE friends are & the friends I hve now whom i see & communicate with on a regualr basis they are the sort of people i would mix biz & friendship together anyday
There are obviously reasons why your friend is behaving the way she is & maybe u should ask yourself WHY is she being like this after I helped her get a job etc & then ask her WHY she is so upset with you??? Dont always think coz of this situation ur other friends wont appreciate gaining employment through you one situation will always vary from one person to the next you will just have to think carefully about who you employ
Success in this lifetime is hard to find & when u get it everyone says grab hold of that success & dont let go (especially when u get a role such as u have) BUT success can come at a price & I know i wouldnt want to lose a friend over it - unless that friend has done something that you really cannot forgive or forget BUT sorry to say she is right on one thing & that is as she says "True friends dont deceive each other and dont keep secrets either!!!
I hope your new found role brings you all the luck & success in the world
Just remember that there are always 2 sides to every story & situation & some people's feelings get hurt more then others because of different circumstances in your case maybe you got something she wanted etc etc & unless there is communication there it will be very hard to just ASSUME why she is so upset before that friendship gets LOST communicate with her before things get too stressful for you
Good Luck hope your sticky situation gets resolved let us know how it goes ok
Nat
MarineMC
FM-Fragrances-Australia-World replied:
I think and say NO!
I recommended a younger female friend of mine to a experienced Beauty Therapist, and My friend let her down, now we are not that good of friends anymore sadley.
Richard
candlelover replied:
Friends and business do not mix unless, like marinemc, you have a really good understanding and set the ground rules beforehand. I personally haven't had a problem with this but have with relationships and business.
I was a manager of a store and two employees were having an affair (one was married). It caused a lot of problems and in the end ended in tears with one being transferred. It was just not worth the heartache.
On the flipside I know of other couples who have met at work and they have made their workplace and relationship work for them. I think it depends on the individual and how they cope in different situations.
Jae replied:
Friends and business do not work at all. Where I work, this lady got her friend a job doing the same sort of job. Now they are fighting all the time. The new girl is now leaving.. And their friendship has gone for good.
I would never get a job for any of my friends.
Jae
CustomCandles replied:
Thanks for all your input everyone.
Just an update on the situation.
Things are all back to normal now, was a misunderstanding and both parts.
So I am really please about that.
Thanks again
Sharon.
renking replied:
Congratulations on your promotion Sharon - it's great to hear that everything has been worked out in the end!
james replied:
I have has some of the most enjoyable (and successful!!) business relationships with friends.
Take our latest venture into account (www.valeska.com.au) which my wife and I founded together (of whom is my best friend!). Undoubtly we are lucky that we get on so well (most of the time...) BUT I would advise a firm contract between anyone who is interested in getting involved with a friend both outside and inside the family.
The contract doesn't have to be too legal...just some sort of understanding that can be relied on in times of crises so that emotions don't get too involved.
It works!!!
James
www.valeska.com.au