What is going to be most different next year is the reshaping of our systems and team.  My partner and I have worked together about five years and both of us are control freaks in our own way.  The most amazing phenomenon is that if we substitute on an appointment for each other or cover while the other is away - our clients seem just as happy and satisfied if we had shown up ourselves.  We like to be independent and are moving towards an integrated team model - simply because our luck has presented some really great people for us to work with and ways to improve our ability to service our clients.

Another consideration is the ability to streamline costs and that is a huge discussion.  We both like our technology toys, our internet toys, and our complete independence.  There are a lot of duplicated expenses and we are looking towards a method of eliminating those and perhaps investing in systems that will minimize duplication of efforts.

We have come to the conclusion that we are ready to do more together and less apart.  I guess it is easier for the husband/wife team - they are all coming out of one bucket.  What that means is one of us has to give up our ego and the quid pro quo is that the other has to give up control.  One of us will be the managing partner and the other will have the gloryof the production awards .

So, I ask you...EGO or CONTROL...which would you choose and why?