One of the publications I like to glean information from is BusinessWeek's SmallBiz. I recently purchased the Winter 2005 edition (to be on stands until March 2006) and was able to do a good read-thru of it this week.
The main cover feature is "Dynamic Duos", a piece about why "every entrepreneur" needs a great second-in-command, and how to select that person. Interesting read, and the stories included both successful situations and an anecdote about a partnership that turned out poorly. I found the piece to be a little too heavy on the stories, though, and would have preferred some more concrete suggestions (say, a checklist?) than just a comment such as "Entrepreneurs tend to choose either a person with similar traits -- a clone -- or a complement who fills their weak spots." The author, Dale Buss, does point out that the latter of the two is the better, and some good quotes about making sure skills overlap somewhat, but very little help on learning to delegate for the entrepreneur who is accustomed to "doing it all" or going it alone. Then again, that could be an article in itself...recruiting and effectively training your second-in-command; instill ownership and be ready to hand over the reins, y'all!
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