The Partnership Charter: How to Start Out Right with Your New Business Partnership (or Fix the One You're In)

In The Partnership Charter, psychologist and business mediation expert David Gage offers a comprehensive guide to the art of establishing and maintaining a business partnership. The centerpiece of his approach is the Partnership Charter, a document that clearly outlines the goals, expectations, responsibilities, and relationships of the principals. The charter identifies potential sources of conflict and how they will be resolved, while addressing such sensitive issues as personal styles, values, money, and power. Illustrating every principle through engaging stories drawn from Gage's front-line experience consulting to business partners, as well as interviews with the founding partners of such successful businesses as Progressive Insurance Company and Manpower, Inc., The Partnership Charter dispels common myths and presents a practical framework for launching, building, and sustaining a thriving business partnership.

David Gage is founder of BMC Associates, a multi-disciplinary Arlington, Virginia-based mediation firm. He is also an adjunct professor at the Kogod School of Business at American University, and maintains a private practice as a clinical psychologist. Gage speaks regularly to business and professional organizations, runs seminars, and writes articles on issues of preventing and resolving conflict. He lives in Arlington.