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
custom home cleaning Wilmette ..Have you been in a "brainstorming" session where each person... Read More
A business plan precisely defines your business, identifies your goals,... Read More
A focus group is a group of employees or current... Read More
All investors greatly desire and are motivated by a clear... Read More
The format of a Business Plan is something that has... Read More
1. Attempt Succession Planning Without Other Strategic Plans. Succession plans... Read More
Remember reading "Alice in Wonderland?"She asks the Cheshire Cat, "which... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains does wonderful ERP job for horizontal markets... Read More
This week I coached a wonderfully lovely woman I'll call... Read More
This will make some people angry as hell, but it's... Read More
( * - the word 'product' can be substituted to... Read More
In most business plans, no matter how striking the idea,... Read More
What gets measured gets done.How do you keep your business... Read More
1. Largest Selection -One way that you can make your... Read More
Conventional wisdom has it that there are only three ways... Read More
As a franchisor it is imperative that you seek, find... Read More
The decision to sell, or not to sell your business... Read More
It doesn't take a Terrorist Act, Tsunami or Earthquake to... Read More
When looking at Akron carefully one cannot help but notice... Read More
Want to become more strategic? Add these traits to your... Read More
More than $117 billion passed hands from Internet shoppers to... Read More
Part 1A few weeks ago I attended a seminar sponsored... Read More
Much of what we heard in the mass media about... Read More
Strategic planning is vital while starting a new business or... Read More
"Rubbish!" shouted the large, aggressive man in the red-striped shirt... Read More
same day cleaning service Morton Grove ..Many very successful business owners may never have had a... Read More
This week I coached a wonderfully lovely woman I'll call... Read More
Have you ever done a SWOT analysis? No, it's not... Read More
Strategic planning is vital while starting a new business or... Read More
In most business plans, no matter how striking the idea,... Read More
How important is a vision statement to your company or... Read More
I am not a big fisherman, but I do enjoy... Read More
In Ohio: besides the 3-Cs you should look at Akron,... Read More
Business planning is widely acknowledged as one of the keys... Read More
Regroup?is this a new management trend? Not a chance! Regroup... Read More
The trick is to determine what uniquely identifies your best... Read More
The goal of almost every business owner is to generate... Read More
The first step in starting a restaurant is proper planning.... Read More
It is always said "If you Fail to Plan, you... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains does wonderful ERP job for horizontal markets... Read More
A survey released by the American Institute of Certified Public... Read More
Many companies are reluctant to dive into outsourcing ocean because... Read More
Writing a business plan can be tricky when all the... Read More
We have been spending many hours surveying the market for... Read More
Much of what we heard in the mass media about... Read More
Is there a 'magical' way to exponentially grow your business?It's... Read More
Here is an abstract thought on studying nature and the... Read More
If you are a manufacturer wanting to use your business... Read More
"Begin with the end in mind," says Stephen Covey in... Read More
Please take a moment before you read any further and... Read More
Strategic Planning |