Backstabbing business partners?

Question

I am involved in many aspects of real estate investing and due to this have different people that I work with on a regular basis. I recently made a HUGE contact (VP of a bank) and set up an appointment to talk business. I invited a partner to go with me who in turn invited a partner of his (older guy with about 30 years experience in investing) as a resource for any difficult senario that should arise. Well this "older investor" totally took over and directed the whole meeting. Did not even acknowledge my existance during the meeting. I could not squeeze a word in edgewise. He plans on following up with MY contact. I felt like he disrespected me and tried to cut me out of the deal right in front of my face. I am so angry right now. The older guy is someone that I will definately have to deal with again because of how I conduct my business so I can't cuss him out. I need advise on what to say to this guy and how to prevent this from happening again.

Answer 1

I think the best way to handle this is to set up a meeting with your rather pushy "partner", and explain to him while you certainly respect his experience and his valuable advice, the deal in question is yours to handle and you intend to be the contact person in this deal. My guess is that because of his many years of experience, he's used to being the guy in charge and automatically assumes that role in any situation he is in. His being a "contact hog" may have been totally subconscious, not malicious, so don't assume the worst automatically.

Answer 2

I guess the moral of the story here is to never trust anyone in business. It is sad, but people in general are GREEDY.