Alliance Partner Quiz
By Ed Rigsbee, CSP
Many identifiable
qualities are found in individuals or companies that are successful in
developing partnering relationships, below I have listed my favorite ten
critical qualities. Take the quiz in reference to yourself to determine
the kind of partner you might be and then take it again for your
intended alliance partner. This will give you some indication of your
chances for a successful alliance relationship.
Grade each quality
below on a 1 to 10 scale, 10 high. Total the scores and if you or your
partner's scores fall below 75%, rethink the alliance or proceed very
cautiously.
1.
Wants to win. You must
have a desire to win and to want to do better in order to be useful in
creating synergies with your partner. Do not partner with a loser!
2.
Knows he/she is ultimately
responsible for his/her own success and will partner because he/she
understands the value of overlapping circles of interest and knows when
partnering is, and is not, the best choice for success.
3.
Is an active listener; to
truly keep in touch with the heartbeat of an alliance, active listening
is critical. Alertness from both sides equals mutual success.
4.
Understands and cares
about what drives his/her partners’ businesses. Because successful
partnering is about relationships, you must consistently give added
value to the relationship. The only way to add value is to know what
your partner considers valuable in connection to their business.
5.
Responds well to and acts
on feedback. The only possibility for a forward and beneficial
movement is when leaders are willing to accept counsel. No one has all
the answers.
6.
Is flexible, especially
when events or circumstances are not what was expected. Flexibility
is absolutely necessary, because things will never be as we expect.
7.
Is trusting and has
integrity. The partner must respect all with whom he/she comes in
contact, from the factory floor to the executive suite.
8.
Seeks win-win arrangements
and solutions. You and your partner must win for the sake of your
association or business. This is the person that understands there is
more possible then a zero-sum game.
9.
Understands that
partnering is a relationship of interdependence. Visualize your
partner and yourself as partially overlapping circles. The parts that
overlap are where you must work together for mutual improvement.
10.
Great Chemistry.
When conflict arises, as it will, getting along and liking each other
makes all the difference in the effort to make things work.
Inherent in the
partnering process are both benefits and pitfalls. If you are careful
and methodical in your search for an alliance partner, the benefits
usually triumph.
# # #
Ed Rigsbee, CSP is the author of PartnerShift, Developing
Strategic Alliances and The Art of Partnering. Rigsbee has over 1,500 published articles to
his credit and is a regular keynote presenter at corporate and trade
association conferences across North America. When you need a speaker on
partnering or an alliance consultant, Ed Rigsbee can be reached at www.rigsbee.com.
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