About a business partnership

[edge]

Hi there,
I've had a very difficult week workwise...my business partnership appears to be imploding and its all been very upsetting. A piece of work went wrong due to bad communication and different values between the three partners, one has decided to withdraw and follow her own interests (which we have decided is the best way to maintain the friendship, she let me down really badly by not delivering, and I probably didn't handle it too well) and the other one is busy considering how and if we can continue to work together. I'm feeling exhausted and upset by difficult feedback from the client, and arguments over how to proceed, even though I have enough independent work and clients to work independently right now. I wondered what I needed to understand so I asked:
Moving forwards by myself or with associates, how will my business progress over the next 6 months?
3:3,4,5 to 55

and then: what do I need to understand about this situation?
3:5 to 24

this seems to reflect the difficulties I'm experiencing right now and points to things getting better, but does it mean I've behaved badly or without thought for others? Difficult to know if its talking about me or all of us...also seems to convey that I need to not do anything dramatic right now...
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, I'm really a bit lost.
E

 

[bostonian]

well, from what I can see, it is suggesting that you persevere in what is right; go slowly, do not make any precipitous changes. You may have some difficulty doing that (some clients and former associates may complain, for example). But be patient and your business will be abundant in the end.

 

[edge]

Thank you, that reflects my intuition right now too.
E

 

[peter2610]

Hi there,
The Wilhelm commentaries appear to be highly relevant to your situation. I would take Line 3 as indicating that to venture in a new direction without support could lead to difficulty. Both Wilhelm and Wang Bi's commentary urge one to desist.
Line 4 suggests some form of reconciliation between 4th yin and first yang - Wilhelm's commentary runs - '...Bringing oneself to take the first step, even when it involves a certain degree of self-abnegation, is a sign of inner clarity. To accept help in a difficult situation is not a disgrace...' This seems pretty self-explanatory if not entirely pleasant.
Line 5 is indicating that you might have to accept a degree of compromise in that your vision and intentions will not yet be fully understood by others, but at least the situation is a working one.
The overall resultant Hex 55 - Abundance appears to indicate a positive outcome but be aware that this hexagram contains issues of mistrust and eclipse in relationships.
To sum up:
Don't strike out on your own.
Do be prepared reconcile any differences.
Do be prepared to accept compromise.
If you can accept this approach the outcome will be a workable one and likely to lead to success.
Hope this might be of some help.
Good luck. Peter

 

[edge]

Hi Peter,
I replied to your message, but not sure if my message got sent so wanted to thank you here too! I really appreciate your insight, and will have to get myself a copy of Wilhelm for comparison (currently using Blofeld and Huang). Even though one partner will withdraw I'd really like to continue working with the other one, so will see if he feels the same! In the meantime I've made an appointment with my business coach to get some advice and talk things through, so have sought help and support which feels better.
Thanks again,
E

 

[ginnie]

Moving forwards by myself or with associates, how will my business progress over the next 6 months?
3:3,4,5 to 55

and then: what do I need to understand about this situation?
3:5 to 24
this seems to reflect the difficulties I'm experiencing right now and points to things getting better, but does it mean I've behaved badly or without thought for others?

#3.5 > 24 may mean that in financial terms you have not brought enough money into the partnership to be able to get much out of it right now.

Line 3 is where you are now: lost. Yi says you should stay where you are, as going forward (independently; on your own) would lead to trouble.

Line 4 means that making up with your partner or partners -- or finding a new partner or partners-- will be crucial to your business success.

Best to wait a while, until the dust settles and everybody is not so angry at everybody else.

 

[edge]

Thanks Ginnie, the last couple of years has definitely taught me that I enjoy working with other people and if this partnership doesn't work out there ar other possibilities. For now though I'm not doing anything dramatic and staying put as advised!
E

 

[ginnie]

3.4

I think I recall someone getting these lines before many months ago or even a year ago. He was in a business where he needed to wait until the right helpers came along. Until that point, he just had to stick it out and be patient.

There's a way to see all references and posts on the same line, but so far I haven't figured out how to do that! After all my time here! (I'm ashamed to admit it . . .)

 

[edge]

Bit of feedback:
The partnership is going to be dissolved, but amicably and on the understanding that we will be around to help each other and bounce ideas around in future, but that we all just want different things (luckily finances are very straightforward and there is no debt in the business so very simple).
I asked today (having made this decision), how will my work progress over the next 2 months and received 32 unchanging. Seems like a good sign, and really fits with my recent learning about making sure my work is meaningful to me. Might be a good time to start writing my book!?
Thanks for all your help.
E

 

[gti112]

ginnie you might be referring to my post " 3.1.4 > 45 What does this mean? "or simply : http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/friends/showthread.php?t=7316 where we had a common changing line 3.4 with edge.

 

[edge]

I have taken on board the idea of not going it alone...and I'm actively pursuing opportunities to work with other people and develop new relationships. I think that even if this partnership is no more, I've learnt that I love working with other people, and its something I really want to continue, so I feel the reading is still relevant even though it may not specifically refer to things as they stand (which I have little control over. Also maintaining the existing relationships in a different form feels important.
Thanks again for all help!
E

 

[ginnie]

I asked today (having made this decision), how will my work progress over the next 2 months and received 32 unchanging. Seems like a good sign, and really fits with my recent learning about making sure my work is meaningful to me. Might be a good time to start writing my book!?

I have gotten H32 unchanging as advice to keep on doing what I have been doing. I have also gotten H32 unchanging as a deterrent not to embark on a radically new and different course of action or new activity right now. I believe it says: Keep doing what you have been doing. What has been successful for you will continue to sustain you.

 

[edge]

Hi Ginnie,
thanks for that. I really like Lise's take on 32:
"Stay on your own course, steadying your boat on the big river of your life. Never deviate from your own conscience, feelings, ethics.
A young man decided to leave the world of society. He started to fish for eel as a living. Every day he fished for bait and prepared his lines, 1100 hooks. The first day he caught many eels, but after that - never again anything. He kept going on and on for 2 years, every day putting out his lines.
Now he is an artist, famous for his etchings of fishing boats and the harbor. More than 20 years later he learned the cause of catching no eel: he did not pickle the lines, so the eel smelled death and stayed away.
His dedication did not change, and it brought him what belongs to him, even if it did not make any sense rationally."

I'm not changing the essential nature of what I do. I love my work and it makes me very happy, and now I'm focusing on projects which really support my values I'm getting fantastic feedback from clients. So I agree, the partnership is ending, but I'm still following the same path I have been, which really works for me (the book I want to write fits into the same path, I do a lot of writing for work, so its just a development of some existing ideas around what I do).
Thanks again,
E

 

[ginnie]

The benefits of the business will be stalled unless you find helpers

what do I need to understand about this situation?
3:5 to 24

Nothing wrong with writing. I'm a published writer myself, so I know that writing is an intensely solitary activity. I am of the opinion that your lines were trying to push you more in the direction of finding helpers, after an initial period in which you just rest and recover from the breakup of the partnership.

Let me quote a little bit from Thomas Cleary on line 3.5: "In the case represented by this line, the leadership lacks administrators, and this 'stalls the benefits.' . . . Therefore the leadership is not really in control; to try to hurriedly correct this situation will turn out badly." By contrast, a little correction (a gradual process of correction), would turn out well. "In organizational terms, this means cultivating the qualities of leadership and employing worthy people."

I found that the years I spent writing were years I kept to myself and went inward. Just occurred to me: Maybe we are not thinking of the same kind of writing.

Anyway, I'm really not saying you shouldn't write. Let me just be a nudge and say that the I Ching seemed to indicate that in order for your business to succeed you'd need to spend some time seeking out capable helpers.

The Thomas McCleary translation is often good for business matters and work situations. He makes the point repeatedly about you needing the "assistance of wise people who are strong and clear minded," and then it will be possible for you to solve all difficulties. It can take a long time to locate such people.

But maybe right now the best thing would just be some R&R. After all, it is the holiday season, a time when people like to get together and just celebrate. In hexagram 24, your relating hex above, there is some winter imagery. From John Blofeld's translation: "The ancient rulers closed the passes during the solstices and the merchants were unable to travel. Even the rulers abstained from touring their territories at those times. The solstices were times for solemn sacrifice. It has always been the practice in China for people to return to their homes for the celebration of the great yearly festivals. Return in this sense is highly auspicious."

The winter solstice is Monday, December 21, ten days from today. I think we are biologically affected by these great planetary turning points and that this is naturally a time of low energy for most living things and the need to relax predominates. Of course what I'm saying is quite different from our usual "24/7" way of life.

 

[edge]

Hi Ginnie,
actually you are completely right, the writing is one thing but actually my work is teaching, training and consultancy so very much about working with other people (the writing relates to this as opposed to being fiction etc). I already have a couple of projects with other people planned for the new year, and have been building potential new partnerships/working relationships for the last few months. Your interpretation totally reaffirms for me that this is the right way to proceed, which is good, I've learnt how much I love to collaborate, and how much energy and inspiration it brings me.
Its also interesting what you say about low energy and the solstice, which is very much how I'm feeling today, quite sad, and feeling the need to hibernate a bit. I decided I can withdraw for a couple of weeks because nothing much really happens before Christmas, and get back out into the world in the new year.
Thanks so much for your insights,
E