Rohan Oza on having, and keeping, friends in biz: You need a high degree of honesty
The American investor calls his business partner his best friend.
By Glynda Alves, ET Bureau |
Agencies
American businessman and investor Rohan Oza answers a frequently asked question when it comes to professional relationships, "Can you really have friends in business?"
“My business partner is one of my closest friends. I am lucky to work only with people I get along with. You can have friends in business if you have a shared objective. If objectives are different, it can break friendships. You need to have a high degree of honesty and tackle issues early on. If you allow it (an issue) to get too big, then it festers or you start to ignore it and then, you’re toast.
“My work is like a family and all families fight and get along. It’s our own money. Mark (Cuban) wants to win every deal. In many sectors, Mark is going to beat me, but there are few sectors where I am going to take him. Often, we go head to head. That’s real. But at the end, if I need anything, Mark is there. Mark can be described as tough, smart and charming.”
How the narrative of long, strong friendships can peak, dip and sometimes be cut short by a turn of events.
US Open champion Sloane Stephens and runner up Madison Keys are best friends who found themselves across the net vying for their first Grand Slam title.
Here's how some other friendship stories have gone down unexpected paths.
“My business partner is one of my closest friends. I am lucky to work only with people I get along with. You can have friends in business if you have a shared objective. If objectives are different, it can break friendships. You need to have a high degree of honesty and tackle issues early on. If you allow it (an issue) to get too big, then it festers or you start to ignore it and then, you’re toast.
“My work is like a family and all families fight and get along. It’s our own money. Mark (Cuban) wants to win every deal. In many sectors, Mark is going to beat me, but there are few sectors where I am going to take him. Often, we go head to head. That’s real. But at the end, if I need anything, Mark is there. Mark can be described as tough, smart and charming.”
US Open champion Sloane Stephens and runner up Madison Keys are best friends who found themselves across the net vying for their first Grand Slam title.
Here's how some other friendship stories have gone down unexpected paths.
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