Team Building: Peanut Butter and Ketchup

There are things that go well together as if it was part of God's master plan and then there are things that...well, they just can never go together.  Like peanut butter and ketchup, the thought is probably as bad as the taste. Teaming arrangements are similar.  Here are a few tips for building the team:

1. Never consider a teaming relationship unless there is money on the table.  There must be a project that will pay the bills.  Too much time is spent teaming and planning the "What we're gonna do."
2. Look for teaming partners that fill a weakness.  You've got ideas, they have money.  You have a technology, they have a distribution channel.
3. Cultural fit is important.  Before you marry, have a few dates to explore compatibility.  Make sure you have ideas that are not counter to each other.  
4. Be clear on the terms and roles of each member's participation.  Get clear contract advice and follow it.  Remember, this is the honeymoon.  If things aren't working smoothly here, they won't suddenly get better once you are in a project.
5. Stand back and take a look at the team.  Does it make sense or is it peanut butter and ketchup?

 Odd couples occasionally work...but stick with the numbers on this one.  Felix and Oscar (The Odd Couple) made it work, not without a struggle.  If running your business isn't hard enough and you must have a challenge, wear a blindfold.  You can take it off without repercussions.