Working with Others

There are may types of relationship that you can establish with another organization, distinguished broadly by the degree of closeness.

You may sometimes find that, after extensive analysis and planning, the best strategic option open to you is one that you are unable to implement alone, because you lack specific resources or competencies.

In these cases, it may be possible to work together with another organization or group -- even one of your competitors. There are may types of relationship that you can establish with another organization, distinguished broadly by the degree of closeness.

At one end of the spectrum is some form of non-contractual trust-based relationship. You cooperate with another company in the market, but you occupy one niche, they another; you support one another in your weaker areas and so can bid for work larger than you could on your own. Trust-based relationships may emerge between smaller companies that have complementary expertise, and often between business owners who have build their businesses over many years and who know and respect one another.

ACTION POINT: Identify when and if partnerships can be part of your strategy.