(Add to Favorites | View All Articles | Resource Directory)
|
|
|
Finding the PERFECT Alliance Partner
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
MORE RESOURCES: News provided by Yahoo! News and Google News Small Business Administration releases states’ small-business profiles Small biz and targeted tax breaks moving in Fla. House - Bizjournals.com Is Facebook advertising right for your small business? Small business notes: Harley to offer leasing program Parallels: Windows-on-Mac Guys Say Small-Biz Software is Sexy - Xconomy Oh baby! Small biz scores huge Angry Birds deal - CNN Take a small business health check Small Business Summit deemed successful Next Street, Citi create $30M small-biz lending fund - Crain's New York Business BUSINESS TIPS: Internet presents a new market |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
The Perilous Franchise Agreement: What Did You Sign? Purchasing a franchise has become one of the most popular avenues for individuals looking to escape the rigid work day of a 9 to 5 job and take the leap into the world of independent business owner. After all, who doesn't dream of being their own boss and controlling the limits of their own financial future? For anyone looking to act on their entrepreneurial spirit, franchising can indeed offer many attractive qualities that can provide excellent growth and earning potential, as well as satisfy that longing for independence. Common Mistakes When Planning Your Medical Spa Everything starts with a business plan: If you don't have one. Write it. Franchisor Prospect Checklist Sample Form Due to the over regulation in the Franchising Industry and the litigation it is important to keep impeccable records. From the first phone call, email to the signing of the franchise agreement everything should be documented. How to Avoid the Most Common Reasons for Small Business Failure The life cycle of the typical small business is short and painful. It starts out with a dream and ends with a whimper. In Home Daycare Businesses for Profit To have one of the popular in home daycare businesses. Many people think all you have to do is love kids and have a home. Image is Everything - Secrets to Cleaning Car Fleets A recent survey indicated that clean Taxi Cabs Fleets have higher tip rates and repeat customers. How do you wash a taxicab? You do them four at a time and you go up and over and up and over when you are drying them. Staying afloat until your business turns a profit How many "get rich schemes" have you joined? Or have you invested in numerous legitimate business endeavors only to have them not work for you? Have you started you business and now facing a complete shut down? Do you consider yourself a failure? Are your loved ones pressing you to give up?Risk-taking is a large part of entrepreneurship, in fact it is what drives it, and it's why so many people avoid small business, despite its many potential rewards. Those of us who have tried it only to have failed may find ourselves right back where we started, which could leave us feeling like total failures. Justice In Action During the 1980 presidential campaign, candidate Ronald Reagan vowed, if elected, to appoint the first woman to the United States Supreme Court. Six months after his inauguration, President Reagan kept his promise - nominating a member of the Arizona Court of Appeals. Small Business and Wichita Owning a small business in Wichita, KS might not be a bad idea, job growth is good, housing has rebounded and the aviation manufacturing capital of the world is on an aileron roll. So consumer spending is up and retail and service sectors are doing fine again. Small Businesses You Can Start in Automotive There are many choices when thinking about a small business involving your favorite hobby, cars. What about a Mobile detailing franchise? Yes they too are available. Too Many Lawyers in Franchising Today Attorneys and Lawyers are ruining the franchise industry. It is too bad too, because franchising represents over 400,000 businesses in our country and accounts for just over one-third of every consumer dollar spent in this country. What are the COSTS Associated with joining Leads Groups? When it comes to cost, how much can you afford or not afford?When it comes to cost, the first thing that comes to mind is money, the cost of membership. Although this may be a consideration, you should also look at the cost as part of the investment you need to make in order to improve the bottom-line. Proper Care and Feeding of the Business Owner That sizzling sound you're hearing may be a symptom of a major hidden cause of businesses closing their doors. It's called burnout. Business Development Is Not An Event Cash flow. To stay in business, you've got to keep a steady stream moving through your company. Book Yourself Solid Key #5: Go Forward With Gusto & Articulate What You Do Want your small business to flip instead of flop?! Statistically half of the entrepreneurs reading this will be out of business in three short years. Establishing a long standing, profitable and successful business absolutely depends on your ability to convey a clear message. Virtual Assistance for Healthcare Professionals Administrative and clerical tasks are the bane of every industry. No matter how small or large your business is, you will eventually find yourself with stacks of paperwork that need your attention and phone calls that need to be made. Personal Success - Take a Break from Business Have Some Time to Yourself One of the most important things you can have when running a successful business, is to have time for yourself. Every small business owner needs to make time to be quiet. Tips and Tricks for Legal Debt Collections If a customer owes your local business money, it's hard not to feel angry, like you want to do anything possible to get your money back. But the days of going all out to collect on a debt over. Gold Medal Delegation When the recent Games of the XXVIII Olympiad came to a close in Athens, two events stood out in my mind as perfect examples of the importance of time management:1. Teenage swimmer Michael Phelps, America's most-celebrated Olympic athlete, matched Mark Spitz's record of four individual gold medals with a stirring comeback in the 100m butterfly. Don't be shy; tell your success stories -- Building Credibility Through Success Stories --Successful solo entrepreneurs spend quite a bit of time building and expanding their networks. These networks can cover a broad spectrum - professional associations, community service, school or alumni networks, virtual communities, athletic groups, neighborhood associations.
|
| Home | Site Map | Privacy Statement | More Articles |
| © 2006 |