162: Three Elements of Effective Business Alliances

None of us can be great at everything and neither are our organizations. On today’s show, three key elements to consider for forming an effective alliance with another leader or organization.

Guest: Aaron Kent
CEO, Dale Carnegie of Southern Los Angeles

Aaron was last on the show on episode #35: You Don’t Have to Be a Trainer to Know How to Hire One.

Find Industry Overlap

• In the same world as you, but not in a competitive place with you
• Each party brings insight and resources that wouldn’t be available to the other
• Focus on what you are best in the world at, and form alliances in other areas
• Aaron mentioned the book Good to Great by Jim Collins*

Clear and Immediate Financial Value Overlap

• Identify where a win-win outcome can be that benefits both parties
• This doesn’t necessarily mean a dollar for dollar match
• Be sure it’s measurable
• Aaron mentioned How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie*
• Dave mentioned How To Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie*
• Dave mentioned The Quick and Easy Way To Effective Speaking by Dale Carnegie*

Committing Resources to the Relationship and Sustaining it Over Time

• It’s easy for an alliance to lose importance when it’s not with a paying customer
• Think of an alliance partner like you would a paying client
• Dedicate a person or resource directly to the alliance

Announcing the Carnegie Coach podcast, a sister show to Coaching for Leaders

• A new, daily show hosted by Dave Stachowiak
• One principle each day from Dale Carnegie’s library
• The show will air Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
• Less than 10 minutes per show!
• Nothing is changing with Coaching for Leaders
• Subscribe to Carnegie Coach on iTunes or Stitcher

Feedback

• Join the conversation: http://coachingforleaders.com/162
• Comments, questions, or feedback for future Q&A shows: http://coachingforleaders.com/feedback
• Next Q&A show is episode #165 on Networking

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