Strategic alliances are increasing at a rapid rate. It is good for business, good for the consumer. A strategic alliance is similar to a joint venture. Everyone remains in his or her own entity, yet come together for a single purpose or period of time to create something that could not otherwise be created.
There are cautions and rightly concerns one must consider before entering into a strategic alliance with other people. For instance, evaluating each partner's value and capabilities for alliance is mandatory before agreeing to an alliance. The who, what, when, where and whys all need clarification with failsafe boundaries.
There are many considerations when developing a strategic alliance, here are six main areas along with questions that you will want to answer to help you determine your own readiness for an alliance.
1. Assessing contributions. What do you or each partner bring to the alliance? What is each person's purpose and goals?
2. Agreeing to the terms. This has three parts: (1) area of interest, (2) net benefits, and (3) joint operations. What interest is yours and what is theirs. Strategic interests must be similar and materials or services comparable. Economic interest must have enough benefits for each to remain committed and minimize trade. There must an operational agreement.
3. Agreement on task and skills. Who is the apprentice on what? Who will be name master on what? Who is going to specifically be responsible to complete what task? Who is going to learn what? What is the division of duties?
4. Defining and measuring progress. Who is going to define or handle sales? What target market will be pursued and when? What is the process chart for a new product or service? How will the revenue be generated and distributed? What will occur if the measurements aren't met?
5. Progress and time. Who is tracing the progress and the time invested? Is the time to be contributed equal or is there a trade-off for other resources? Who and when will the progress reports be regularly discussed and completed? Is there going to be a board that will monitor equality and fairness?
6. Points of tension. When there are points of tension, and there always is so don't kid yourself that there never will be, is an outside source going to be the arbitrator? When tension occurs does it need to be expressed in writing first and then discussed? Is there a cool-down period that is required? Who is going to sign off on checks, balance the checkbook, and monitor cash flow?
So many questions, so little time. Yes, I understand, however, this one time you want to stop and open time, address these questions, and any others might need to be addressed.
? Copyright 2004, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.
Catherine Franz, a eight-year Certified Professional Coach, Graduate of Coach University, Mastery University, editor of three ezines, columnist, author of thousands of articles website: http://www.abundancecenter.com blog: http://www.abundancecenter.com
residential cleaning services Lincolnshire ..How you finance the expansion of your business is important.... Read More
When you start your program to purchase your "ideal" company,... Read More
As fast as you can say business disaster, your business... Read More
Private equity firms have raised so much capital over the... Read More
Some analysts credit [Larry] Ellison with anticipating the consolidation in... Read More
Have you been in a "brainstorming" session where each person... Read More
One Research Scientist at the Hewlett-Packard (HP) Imaging Systems laboratory... Read More
"Did you hear what your competitor is doing?" This question... Read More
Is there a 'magical' way to exponentially grow your business?It's... Read More
You have invested a lot of time and energy on... Read More
If you are a manufacturer wanting to use your business... Read More
American Eagle Outfitters and Wet Seal Stores have issued statements... Read More
Whether you are seeking capital for your company or are... Read More
With a heightened awareness of opportunity, ideas can often be... Read More
A business plan precisely defines your business, identifies your goals,... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains does wonderful ERP job for horizontal markets... Read More
Strategic alliances are increasing at a rapid rate. It is... Read More
Every new business owner knows that a business plan is... Read More
Can you imagine going on a road trip without knowing... Read More
Many of Ohio's downtown areas are in need of upgrading... Read More
Human beings are rational agents. Rationality endorses one to take... Read More
Would you like to jumpstart your online or offline business... Read More
If you own a pressure washing business one of the... Read More
In 1997, David Steele was making the transition from a... Read More
Regroup?is this a new management trend? Not a chance! Regroup... Read More
best cleaning company Highland Park ..Business seems to drop, slow or even stop during the... Read More
Does the competition drive you crazy?Are they relentless about taking... Read More
Before becoming a netpreneaur, I was an entrepreneur. First, I... Read More
When someone mentions business planning we have been conditioned to... Read More
Every business experiences slower periods. For some, they sell more... Read More
One of the most powerful driving forces in human nature... Read More
Diversify - to make diverse, give variety, to balance, to... Read More
A recent conversation started with a typical question, "How's business?"... Read More
How important is a vision statement to your company or... Read More
If you own a pressure washing business one of the... Read More
Want to become more strategic? Add these traits to your... Read More
Why do so many companies languish and watch as their... Read More
As a business owner, you've likely created a hurricane plan... Read More
When you start your program to purchase your "ideal" company,... Read More
People often ask "What makes a good business plan? Or,... Read More
1. Largest Selection -One way that you can make your... Read More
One of the quintessential parts to any business is your... Read More
Much of what we heard in the mass media about... Read More
It's easy to lose sight of what needs to be... Read More
I. INTRODUCTIONThe term resilience, which is of frequent use in... Read More
How are you feeling today? Good, not so good, great?... Read More
Every decade we seem to come up with a buzz-word... Read More
Every new business owner knows that a business plan is... Read More
Many movies have been made about the tragic story of... Read More
Fun From The StartFor those with the will to start... Read More
Strategic Planning |