Path to Partnership
Where we learn how to become a partner.
So you’re interested in joining the ownership team at Creative Roots. We believe that most people have a level of excellence that we have not seen yet – that you yourself don’t even know you have within you. We hope you are as excited about this as we are!
Being a partner brings opportunities beyond what you as an employee are able to participate in. Those opportunities not only consist of some higher level decision making and the sharing of profit but can also be a chance to work alongside others who believe that together we can build something much better than we could individually.
In this document you will find the “already” partner’s thoughts on what being a partner has meant to them as well as what they are looking for in a new one. Also included are the steps that you must take in order to successfully complete the Partnership Leap.
THE LONG VIEW
Business is an investment first, NOT a job you have bought. In the marketplace you get a salary for what you do and a return on what you own. For many reasons very few investments available today can yield the return and security a business can.
What we as partners have come to agree on, and take from what Ari Weinweig – one of America’s most innovative small-business owners – so simply stated as one of 12 Natural Laws of Business is that far more often than not “It takes longer to make something great happen than you think.”
Obviously not to the minute but for the purpose of putting time to that theory he suggests it takes:
- 2 years to get stability
- 4 years to get good
- 6 years to work on being great
- 8 years to really get there
In a nutshell we agree with Ari’s findings and have each made a mindful, long term commitment to the company, each other and are only, unless otherwise strategically chosen, interested in others who are willing to do the same. When the grass under our own feet isn’t green enough it is up to us to make it greener together.
TIMING ISN’T EVERYTHING & RULES ARE MEANT TO BE BROKEN…SOMETIMES
When Creative Roots can and will bring on a new partner is not always going to be straightforward. One rule of thumb we use to gauge our readiness is to keep a 1:5 partner to employee ratio but that is not set in stone and there could be exceptions to that rule.
For example: There may be situations when the partners feel a new partner would help take Creative Roots to new heights and would therefore warrant an early investment at the partnership level or there may be the need to bring in a new partner to help fill the gap of a current one who is exiting. And so on…
Each situation will be unique and the partners will always reserve the right to weigh each and every opportunity and the choice to grant or deny the applicant based on what they collectively believe will be best for the company.
THE COMPANY IS THE ULTIMATE PRODUCT
In August each year, the partners will review and consider all partner applications received. So if you’re wanting to take the Partnership Leap, have a look at the diagram below to see how to get started.
This map gives you an idea of the process required to become a partner at CRL. Like everything, it is not set in stone, it is a guide. As we have learned, there are exceptions to every rule and we are open to changing things up!
Stage 1 Qualify & Desire.
Getting to the point when you qualify and a desire is expressed takes 2 years. There are possibilities of exceptions to this rule.
How you know you qualify and the business is ready for a new partner:
- It feels like you have wanted a business of your own or to join ours and it’s time to talk to partners and others about it and how everything works.
- It has been expressed that ownership applications will be taken.
- You qualify based on the Qualifying Recommendations for Prospective Partners
Stage 2 Application & Review
Applications and owners review takes a minimum of 30 days.
What you need to do in order to apply:
- Talk to the Creative Roots Partnership Facilitator about your desire.
- Complete P2P application.
- Wait for the owner’s review and decision.
Stage 3 After you have been accepted
Takes anywhere from a few months to years to complete.
- Party!
- Complete Legal documentation
- At least 2 years within the organization
- Wants to and has financial resources(or alternative plan) to invest in CRL as one of the following:
- Partner into an existing business
- Managing Partner into a new business
- Supervisor/Foreman/Manager level position or equivalent
- Complete personal 5 year or more vision and share with partners
- Has read The Great Game of Business
- Open Book Committee participant
- Up to date on their Passport to Success
- Has shown/proven clearly to live the values of the organization
- Shares our vision and values and beliefs
- Likes to work collaboratively and is emotionally intelligent
- Is willing to take emotional and intellectual responsibility for the whole
- Is good at communicating in a constructive way and can work through things to conclusion
- Has demonstrated that they are committed to personal growth
- Shows the willingness to do the unglamorous hard work needed to really lead effectively, every day, in the real world
How To Use This Website
This is a news, information, training and standard operation procedures (SOP’s) hub that, with your help continues to grow and expand on how we operate and perform tasks at Creative Roots Landscaping. Please make comments and suggestions for improvements to existing processes and let’s all work together to create new ones.