![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Do you promote yourself as offering prompt, reliable and quality service?
Of course ? none of us promote ourselves as anything less, and equally we strive to provide this level of service all the time.
So what happens when you take your networking to the next level, and start to offer referrals, or even establish partnerships or alliances for certain activities?
Whatever you do at this point creates significant impact on your business and personal reputation ? potentially positive and also potentially negative.
One of the successes of Global Business and Development Solutions (globizdev.com) is not just that we are an alliance spanning Australia, South Africa, UK and the USA. Rather, our success results because we share like values, and each commit to providing the same level of service, whether individually sourced, referred, or a shared client.
I am using the word 'partner' loosely ? as a catch all for someone we refer business to/from, someone we collaborate on a project with, someone we join market and so on.
Regardless - choosing the right partner is critical.
So how do I choose the right partner?
At some point depending on the level of activity you enter, it could be important to get specialist legal, due diligence and other financial advice ? which is beyond the scope of this article. Some key principles I have followed to successfully establish partnerships and alliances include:
? Looking for organisations and individuals who share the same values as you
? Ensuring you enter the arrangement with their success in mind, not just yours
? Being prepared to not lead every initiative
? Looking for partners with complementary products and services
? Identifying gaps in your own knowledge, skills and experiences and seeking partners to 'fill' these
? Not expecting overnight success
? Being prepared to foster a long-term mutually beneficial arrangement
Will following these steps guarantee success and remove all potential for conflict?
Obviously not.
However, following these steps is core in demonstrating a genuine desire to work with others, to support each other in growth and development.
Remember, too, that establishing such arrangements is likely to be just one element of an overall sales and marketing plan for you or your organisation. Even if you have an excellent partner, or partners, marketing efforts individually and collectively remain important.
I you are an independent professional, or a small service organisation, you might benefit from the Free Marketing Plan Workbook from Action Plan Marketing, which you can download from globizdev.com on the Additional Resources page.
I have found enormous personal and business benefits from establishing quality partnerships, and I hope you enjoy similar successes.
Mel Dunn is Managing Director of Global Business and Development Solutions, which works with individuals and organisations that are committed to business success and the success of others. We work globally and locally and focus on providing sustainable solutions for our clients.
We offer a range of services including:
? Proposal and tender development
? Technical assistance
? Research and strategy development
? Quality review of submissions
? Market entry support
? Partner identification
? On-ground representation
Home based travel businesses are no longer the wave of... Read More
Are you a motivational speaker who consistently gets rave reviews... Read More
There is much competition in the mobile auto detailing business.... Read More
The difference between rates and wages is not always clear... Read More
If you intend to franchise your company you will need... Read More
COLLABORATIVE NEGOTIATING:Collaborative negotiating is a win-win strategy that can focus... Read More
All legitimate home business entrepreneurs insist and announce loud and... Read More
If you run a mobile car wash, mobile fleet washing... Read More
How far away is the person you need to meet?We... Read More
One of the great challenges for independent professionals and small... Read More
Here is an interesting case study of a company, which... Read More
Before you read any further in this article, I'd like... Read More
Administrative and clerical tasks are the bane of every industry.... Read More
One of the biggest excuses franchisees of home based and... Read More
Has this ever happened to you... 'John, you have a... Read More
The home-based business market, sometimes called the SOHO (small-office/home-office) market,... Read More
I recently met with a very successful magazine publisher who... Read More
KEEPING INTEREST HIGH: Supervision is key to the success of... Read More
Franchisors of home based and mobile businesses need to carefully... Read More
Incredible as it sounds, you have a goldmine of free... Read More
The goals of businesses have undergone much evolution from the... Read More
In general, all of us know how to accomplish the... Read More
You can make your trade show experience much easier by... Read More
Just a few years ago, when one thought of a... Read More
My 16 year-old daughter said, "Gee Dad! You look just... Read More
What kinds of things effect mobile service businesses P and... Read More
One of the most common horrific mistakes a business can... Read More
KEEPING INTEREST HIGH: Supervision is key to the success of... Read More
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, since... Read More
Outsourcing is the strategic use of outside resources to perform... Read More
How do you find the best business partners?Finding a good... Read More
Becoming a contractor or sub-contractor for the U.S. government can... Read More
In a quest for customers and to keep those customers,... Read More
One of the most common issues that comes up for... Read More
There will come a time in your business where you... Read More
Habit: A consistent behavior you perform so frequently that it... Read More
Want your small business to flip instead of flop?! Statistically... Read More
Do You Really Need a Toll-Free Number for Your Business?... Read More
The following are six essential skills to business success. You... Read More
How far away is the person you need to meet?We... Read More
Most small businesses simply go about their daily business and... Read More
A career coach could be simply defined your job seeking... Read More
So you think you're not justified in taking time away... Read More
A suggestion box is a really good idea for your... Read More
So you want to get into the auto detailing business... Read More
Success is the desire of everyman on the face of... Read More
Articles abound advising the business community how to properly screen... Read More
Now that you have invested your time, energy and money... Read More
Every company has a value proposition. That is a statement... Read More
You can't imagine how many people ask me how I... Read More
Small Business Small Business |