The 8 essential questions to ask before becoming an associate in an impact project
You have stumbled upon the impact project that makes you vibrate, the one that resonates with your values and makes you want to get up every morning to bring real value to the world. You want to get involved, invest your energy, time and skills as an associate. But wait! Before jumping headlong, did you take the time to ask yourself the right questions ?
Making this choice is like deciding to climb a mountain together. Before you even put on your hiking boots, you need to make sure that you and the founder are aligned on the path to take, the pace to follow and the challenges to be met. Otherwise, beware of disagreements in the middle of the path!
In this article, we share with you the 8 essential questions that can turn a risky collaboration into a sustainable and fruitful entrepreneurial adventure.
So, are you ready to take the plunge ? Here we go! 🚀
1. Why does this project really exist? 💡
Imagine this scene: your future partner tells you about his project. His eyes shine with overflowing passion, he describes every detail to you with an almost contagious energy. But behind this passion, what is the real motivation that drives him? Is it the desire to change the world, to make a personal dream come true or simply to seize an opportunity to create a profitable business? These underlying motivations are crucial, as they determine the direction of the project.
Example: Let's say an entrepreneur wants to create a solution to reduce plastic waste. For you, the environmental impact is essential, it's the priority. But for him, it is above all a way to generate profits quickly. This difference in motivation could create tensions over time if they are not made explicit.
Ask yourself: Why does this project really exist? Do the founder's deep motivations resonate with yours?
2. What skills do you bring, and what are his? 🎯
The idea of a founding team is a bit like an orchestra: if everyone plays the violin, the result will be monotonous and without harmony. It is therefore essential that you bring complementary skills. Otherwise, you may find yourself doing the same things and stepping on each other's toes, which will hinder the progress of the project.
Example : If you are a marketing expert and your future partner is a product developer, you will be able to combine your strengths: you, to position the project on the market, him, to create a solution that meets the needs of users. Together, you'll move much faster.
Ask yourself : What specific skills do you bring? Does your future partner have skills that complement yours to create a solid duo? Who is the visionary and who is the pragmatist?
3. What is the shared vision for the future of the project? 🔮
Imagine two sailors sharing a boat. One dreams of reaching the Caribbean, while the other aspires to sail around the world. The problem? The direction of the project becomes unclear, and the two sailors may find themselves aboard a ship that is going in two different directions. It can also happen in a founding team.
Example : You might dream of a local project, with an impact in a single community, while your partner envisions a global business that transforms the entire industry. This divergence of vision can be an obstacle to the success of the project.
Ask yourself : How do you see the future of the project? Are you aligned on growth (local or global) and long-term impact?
4. What is our risk tolerance? 🎢
Joining an impact project is a gamble. This requires boldness, ambition and resilience, because the path is often uncertain. Taking risks is part of the game: some see it as an opportunity to grow, while others prefer to secure their situation before taking the plunge. Everyone approaches risk in their own way, whether in terms of money, time or energy.
Example : You're ready to sacrifice everything, to invest money and time to make this project grow. But your future partner prefers to keep a stable job on the side, which can create frustration over time. Who takes the risks, and to what extent?
Ask yourself : How far are you willing to invest yourself personally (money, time, effort)? What is your future partner's risk tolerance?
5. How will we finance the project? 💰
Financing is the key to any entrepreneurial adventure. Imagine an impact project that is just getting started, but finds itself without funding after a few months. Stress mounts, tensions arise, and the project finds itself at an impasse. Before committing, it is essential that the partner understands the founder's financial strategy and is comfortable with it.
Example : You are about to join an innovative project. After a few weeks of discussions, you realize that your partner intends to raise money quickly, but you prefer to explore safer alternatives, such as loans or grants. This disagreement can quickly become a hindrance.
Ask yourself : Where will the funding for the project come from? Is the financing strategy clear and shared between you? Are you ready to raise funds, or to look for financial partners?
6. How will we make important decisions? 🧭
An impact project involves frequent strategic choices , which are sometimes difficult to make. You will have to make choices about the direction to take, whether it is on the product, the market strategy or even partnerships.
Example : From the first discussions with your future partner, you decide to integrate a neutral third party (mentor or consultant) to help you make crucial decisions. This allows you to keep a healthy relationship, even in difficult times.
Ask yourself : How will important decisions be made? Will you do everything together or is there a delegation process? Who makes the final decisions in the event of disagreement?
7. How will we deal with conflict? 🔥
Disagreements are inevitable, even in the best teams. The important thing is not to avoid them, but to know how to manage them. Poorly managed conflict can escalate into personal tension and jeopardize the sustainability of the project.
Example : With your partner, you agree from the beginning on how to deal with disagreements. You are in conflict over the strategic direction of the project, you will agree on a mediation process to prevent your project from collapsing.
Ask yourself : How will you handle conflict? Is there an established procedure to dissipate tensions and preserve the professional relationship?
8. What is our exit strategy? 🚪
No one wants to think about the end of an adventure, but it's essential to anticipate it to avoid future complications. The end of a collaboration can occur for many reasons: a change in vision, burnout or even more attractive professional opportunities. It is therefore crucial to define a clear exit strategy from the outset to protect the project in the long term.
Example : With your founder, you decide from the outset to set up an agreement to sell the shares (via a pact, for example), to guarantee a smooth transition in the event of departure. This helps to avoid tension.
Ask yourself : What is your exit strategy? How will you manage the sale of shares or the departure of a partner in the event of a reorientation?
Your adventure starts here! 🚀
As you can see, becoming a partner is not just a question of opportunity, it is a decision that requires reflection and preparation. These 8 questions are not there to discourage you, quite the contrary. They are there to lay a solid foundation, avoid frustration and maximize your chances of success.
At Meet My Job, we believe that good associations make great successes. Browse our offers to become an associate now, and connect with people who share your passion for impact.
Don't wait any longer, the impact you dream of creating starts here and now! 🌟