Throughout my professional career, I have talked about business partnerships hundreds of times, as I have watched partnerships come and go in my life and the lives of my friends and clients.

In many cultures, we date before we marry or make a long-term commitment, and dating is often an exhaustive and lengthy process that may take years before the “knot is tied.” So I find it comical that so many people jump into business partnerships without doing their due diligence. Maybe we don’t have the time or the patience?

I have only been married once, and my wife and I recently celebrated our 20-year wedding anniversary. If I had to do it all over again, these are the questions that I would be asking and getting clarity around:

• How do you feel about having kids? How many kids do you want? If we don’t have kids, what will we do?

• How do you feel about having pets? How many pets do you want? Are there any types of pets that are off-limits?

• Where would you like to live? Are there any locations that are nonnegotiable? How do you feel about living with family if we have to?

• What are your thoughts and expectations for our finances? How do you feel about debt?

• What are your expectations for each of our roles in this partnership?

• What are your political views?

• What is your religious and spiritual background?

There are many more questions that should be discussed during courtship, but I’m sure you see my point that there is a lot to learn about a person before a long-term commitment is made.

Too many people don’t get to know their business partners well enough, and when difficulties arise, they realize the true nature of the person. You should evaluate potential business partners thoroughly: Are they a giver or a taker? How do they respond to problems or difficulties? Do they rise up to the occasion or close up and retreat?

In a lot of ways, getting to know your future business partner is similar to getting to know your future spouse, though this is easier said than done. So my question to you is, how can you “date” in a business setting without feeling like you’re wasting far too much time? What is the proper way to map out and get aligned on goals, objectives and operating philosophies? There may not be a simple answer, but I thought the exercise would be worthwhile and I’d love to hear your insights at tanner@menlocre.com.