3 ms·

As someone going through something very similar, I can say now that when you sign a contract, it is effectively putting into writing how you can be screwed and

As someone going through something very similar, I can say now that when you sign a contract, it is effectively putting into writing how you can be screwed and what happens if your counterparty decides to screw you over. You have to assume they will, ensure that your lawyer has considered all of the possibilities that matter and never assume your new, smiling, friendly, business partner has your best interests at heart. Oh and lawyers are expensive.

TheSpiceIsLife 9y ago
As the saying goes: if you have a business partner, get rid of them. I suspect the only people for whom partnerships could in anyway make sense are lawyers.
- maehwasu 9y ago
  Alternatively, up your people-reading and manipulation skills. I've made a ton more money having partners than I would have without. I suspect that many developers haven't REALLY had to deal with Machiavellian people before, and in that respect, I was fortunate to come to coding from a more cutthroat business environment in which I had already been screwed multiple times. What doesn't kill you etc.
  - rdtsc 9y ago
    > up your people-reading and manipulation skills. ... > What doesn't kill you etc. [tongue in cheek] Reading between the lines there, does it mean you were the one doing the stabbing in the back ? ;-) Serious question (assuming the above wasn't the case), how do you deal with the Machiavellian people without turning into one of them?
    - delaaxe 9y ago
      The 48 laws of power could be a place to start
    - _0ffh 9y ago
      "how do you deal with the Machiavellian people without turning into one of them?" I think to be aware of the possibly modes of power play and betrayal people avail themselves of, and to guard yourself against them, does not imply that you have to use them against innocents.
  - TheSpiceIsLife 9y ago
    Maybe it works for some people. The sibling comment is rather amusing in that regard. Personally, I have lost a ton of money as a result of having partners. Now I have a personal rule: if I can't afford to hire someone for their skills or expertise, I can't afford them.
  - jaypaulynice 9y ago
    I've worked as a software engineer in a lot of industries and I think advertising/marketing and finance are full of people like this. But in the end, it sucks to live like this always paranoid and watching your back. When I see someone trying to make a power move, I stay as far away from them as possible. These people could only sustain that life with alcohol, smoking and just whatever else. I remember my boss at a marketing company would take shots early in the morning and our office was full of hard alcohol everywhere that you would think you were at a bar. Is the stress worth it in the end? You reap what you sow...trying to make a quick buck is never worth it.
  - tim333 9y ago
    Warren Buffett's approach, (who's quite good on the people reading skills): >After some other mistakes, I learned to go into business only with people whom I like, trust, and admire. As I noted before, this policy of itself will not ensure success: A second- class textile or department-store company won't prosper simply because its managers are men that you would be pleased to see your daughter marry. However, an owner - or investor - can accomplish wonders if he manages to associate himself with such people in businesses that possess decent economic characteristics. Conversely, we do not wish to join with managers who lack admirable qualities, no matter how attractive the prospects of their business. We've never succeeded in making a good deal with a bad person.

TheSpiceIsLife 9y ago

As the saying goes: if you have a business partner, get rid of them. I suspect the only people for whom partnerships could in anyway make sense are lawyers.

maehwasu 9y ago
Alternatively, up your people-reading and manipulation skills. I've made a ton more money having partners than I would have without. I suspect that many developers haven't REALLY had to deal with Machiavellian people before, and in that respect, I was fortunate to come to coding from a more cutthroat business environment in which I had already been screwed multiple times. What doesn't kill you etc.
- rdtsc 9y ago
  > up your people-reading and manipulation skills. ... > What doesn't kill you etc. [tongue in cheek] Reading between the lines there, does it mean you were the one doing the stabbing in the back ? ;-) Serious question (assuming the above wasn't the case), how do you deal with the Machiavellian people without turning into one of them?
  - delaaxe 9y ago
    The 48 laws of power could be a place to start
  - _0ffh 9y ago
    "how do you deal with the Machiavellian people without turning into one of them?" I think to be aware of the possibly modes of power play and betrayal people avail themselves of, and to guard yourself against them, does not imply that you have to use them against innocents.
- TheSpiceIsLife 9y ago
  Maybe it works for some people. The sibling comment is rather amusing in that regard. Personally, I have lost a ton of money as a result of having partners. Now I have a personal rule: if I can't afford to hire someone for their skills or expertise, I can't afford them.
- jaypaulynice 9y ago
  I've worked as a software engineer in a lot of industries and I think advertising/marketing and finance are full of people like this. But in the end, it sucks to live like this always paranoid and watching your back. When I see someone trying to make a power move, I stay as far away from them as possible. These people could only sustain that life with alcohol, smoking and just whatever else. I remember my boss at a marketing company would take shots early in the morning and our office was full of hard alcohol everywhere that you would think you were at a bar. Is the stress worth it in the end? You reap what you sow...trying to make a quick buck is never worth it.
- tim333 9y ago
  Warren Buffett's approach, (who's quite good on the people reading skills): >After some other mistakes, I learned to go into business only with people whom I like, trust, and admire. As I noted before, this policy of itself will not ensure success: A second- class textile or department-store company won't prosper simply because its managers are men that you would be pleased to see your daughter marry. However, an owner - or investor - can accomplish wonders if he manages to associate himself with such people in businesses that possess decent economic characteristics. Conversely, we do not wish to join with managers who lack admirable qualities, no matter how attractive the prospects of their business. We've never succeeded in making a good deal with a bad person.