Where do you look for the appropriate alliance?
One of the most asked question is "Where do you find a good alliance partner?" It is actually fairly easy. You can find potential alliances by taking some time to research potential partners. Remember that you should start by focusing more on finding the potential partner than you do on implementing the alliance.
You should rely on your own business relationships and referrals from your current customer base or contacts. It is through referrals that the best possible linkages are obtained. Yes, there are other ways to get potential partners and those can also be explored, it is just that they take a little longer to cultivate.
Looking at the associations you belong to is one way you can add candidates to your list. Only choose those that are not offering the same product or service as you. Trade groups, such as trade organizations are an excellent source as well. Your local Chamber of Commerce has many members and you will find several potential alliance partners in their directory.
You should also search job boards for companies that are looking to hire in your area of expertise (especially if you are a consultant). The important thing is that you make an extensive list of candidates.
Having made a first draft of possible candidates, the next step in your careful planning is to make sure that the potential alliance partner is open to adding your products or services to their current line of business. You also need to make sure that there is sufficient profit for the alliance to work. Besides profit, there also needs to be a market for what each of you offer.
Once you have made your short list of candidates, make sure that you do some research into their business ethics, customer testimonials, and general business dealings. If you do your homework, you will have a better chance of finding the right alliance partner.
Bette Daoust, Ph.D. has been networking with others since leaving high school years ago. Realizing that no one really cared about what she did in life unless she had someone to tell and excite. She decided to find the best ways to get people's attention, be creative in how she presented herself and products, getting people to know who she was, and being visible all the time. Her friends and colleagues have often dubbed her the "Networking Queen". Blueprint for Networking Success: 150 ways to promote yourself is the first in this series. Blueprint for Branding Yourself: Another 150 ways to promote yourself is planned for release in 2005. For more information visit http://www.blueprintbooks.com
affordable house cleaning Wilmette ..Every business starts with an idea or a dream. To... Read More
The Operations Plan is a critical component of any business... Read More
In your small business debt collection laws will eventually become... Read More
There is a great deal of abuse going on in... Read More
TACTIC #1 -- Never simply slash your prices, unless you're... Read More
One overlooked individual in the process of taking a company... Read More
For the employees, payday is the brightest day; they finally... Read More
Q: Is the online world the best place to sell... Read More
If you discovered the bottom line in your business depended... Read More
Q: I really want to start my own business, but... Read More
When working properly, computers enable small businesses to make big... Read More
Take advantage of world politics today and start your own... Read More
The current lack of industry leaders represents an exceptional opportunity... Read More
What is a Virtual Assistant?? A Virtual Assistant is that... Read More
Microfiber cleaning towels have been around for about ten years... Read More
Here are a few tips on how to hand out... Read More
It is not surprising that some people may perceive Six... Read More
1. Leadership Is Learned ? While many people appear to... Read More
Writing a business plan for your Solo Entrepreneur business doesn't... Read More
It behooves every professional mobile auto detailer to stay up... Read More
What does it take to grow a business and run... Read More
At first glance, this topic may seem a little repetitive,... Read More
Database Problems in MarketingI have been working on a direct... Read More
Last summer the FTC put forth a report and then... Read More
The revenue history is a vital piece of your power... Read More
quick home cleaning Northbrook ..The single most important activity you can do in your... Read More
The Boston suburbs seem to be rich with possible locations... Read More
If you're organized, smart, capable and willing to work with... Read More
Are the promoters and consultants destroying the market for Reverse... Read More
Q: After years of dreaming about starting my own business,... Read More
COLLABORATIVE NEGOTIATING:Collaborative negotiating is a win-win strategy that can focus... Read More
How do marine type businesses start? Have you ever thought... Read More
When pressure washing heavy equipment each piece of equipment has... Read More
Last year, trillions of dollars transferred hands on the internet... Read More
Cleaning the trailers towed by big trucks is not easy,... Read More
How do you find groups that are in need of... Read More
For really tough boat hull cleaning you will need to... Read More
Let's face it, we all tend to get stuck in... Read More
Running a business on the net these days can be... Read More
A recent survey showed that only 28.7% of small business... Read More
Fuel prices these days are quite high and they take... Read More
Some marine biologists feel that the concentration of dead marine... Read More
SBIR Corner: FFP vs. CPFF contracts:In the SBIR/STTR world, the... Read More
$elling $elling $ellingWhat makes a great sales person? Well, the... Read More
There is significant competition in auto detailing and car washing.... Read More
While I was hard at work last week, an everyday... Read More
Most business owners know when they need an accountant, but... Read More
Company mottos can easily be printed on a business card.Sometimes... Read More
When is it a good thing to say no to... Read More
In the world today, many people are further in debt... Read More
Small Business |