Match Made in Heaven How do you approach a potential partner without stepping on anybody's toes?

Q: I have a friend who hastaken his business as far as he is willing to go without investingmore money into it. I believe the business has great prospects.What's a win-win way to propose the idea of our entering into aworking relationship to expand the business?

Name withheld

A: The next step depends onhow well you know your friend and how well he knows you. If youfeel your friend knows and trusts you, then asking whether he wouldwelcome a written proposal for how you might work together would bethe next step.