Teaming Up

The Edwardses (Working From Home), aided by freelancer Benzel, offer a guide on how small businesses can work with one another. They explore the pros and cons of 10 potential strategiesDeverything from making mutual referrals and developing cross-promotions to forging partnerships and becoming part of a virtual organization that forms to accomplish a specific project and then disbands. Helpful resources are provided at the end of every chapter. The authors also explore how to find compatible people and companies to partner with, the legal and financial issues of working together and the psychology behind making joint ventures successful. While some of the material is superfluous (an explanation of why competition is not necessarily a good thing) and the advice veers toward the simplistic (""remember you are part of a team""), the book can serve as a practical starting point for a small business thinking about teaming up with another firm. (Mar.)