Strategic Alliances That Work: Implementing Winning Conditions

This note is part of a series entitled Strategic Alliances That Work. All the strategic analysis, negotiation, and implementation planning of a strategic alliance aims for the day the alliance can be formally launched. While much of the details depend on the specific nature of the agreement, there exist common practices that will take you far down the path of successful alliance management. These include laying a positive foundation with the right team and establishing productive linkages across both organizations. It also includes dedicated focus on building trusted relationships in the early days and structuring alliance activities for some early successes. Alliances usually define success in terms of financial returns; but when the honeymoon is over, enduring and sustainable benefits will be more easily achieved through additional emphasis on effective communications, constructive conflict resolution and continuous organizational learning - elements that support a productive relationship over time. Related cases, Strategic Alliances That Work: Should You Build a Strategic Alliance?, Strategic Alliances That Work: Selecting the Right Partner and Strategic Alliances That Work: Negotiating and Designing an Alliance, products 9B05M022, 9B05M023 and 9B05M024.