Mixing Business with Pleasure

The chain of thought advocating that a person should not mix business with pleasure is a long standing maxim which many entrepreneurs try to enact with their business lives.

It has been witnessed however that there are many successful businesses which consist of a husband and wife team acting in various capacities within an organisation. Their personal relationship does not seem to adversely affect either the business achievements or their ability to live in relative harmony.

Many would suggest that in such occurrences, the formula is quite unique and that they represent the exception rather than the norm.

For most businesses in the introduction of personal relationships in to the professional regime can manifest inconsistencies and watered down actions which attempt to satisfy both organisational and personal demands.

The extent to which this occurs depends largely on the basis understanding and maturity of the parties involved and their willingness and ability to distinguish between personal and business interactions.

Where the line is defined and maintained the personal and business relationship can exist independently of each other and events affecting one do not then transcend to the other.

The feelings and emotional elements which are often predominant in personal relationships are put aside when business matters are on the table and management tools which are rational are adopted.

Mixing business with pleasure in respect of having in work personal relationships can result in one or both parties being uncomfortably where the personal involvement ends and yet the employment continues.

In such cases work output often suffers and a resolution is required which often leads to one person leaving the business.

In many business cultures personal involvement between staff is not encouraged and in some instances banned (or effectively so). High risk businesses such as banks, casinos and others where the possibility of colluding staff could contradict or weaken the organisations internal controls are some examples.

It is difficult to conclude using absolute terms whether or not mixing business with pleasure will work or lead to complete disaster. Being wary of the potential risks and disadvantages might make any such decision as more informed and calculated one.

This is not to say that being aware of the drawbacks would result in a more favourably outcome than if the person were ignorant.