Build Alliances That Advance Common Interests

By Susan Hamilton

Strategic business alliances are necessary for extreme revenue and higher profits, but how many of us are building them? An alliance is more than a networking group, but it may start there because for 80% of small business America, networking groups are where some great business relationships are begun – and healthy relationships take time to grow. Many of us reach out in these arenas expecting new business or referral resources, but what would happen if we shifted our perspective just a bit? 

I get excited when I hear another person sharing my vision and ideas from another angle. I love to see how the cogs in the wheel fit together. When I meet you for the first time, I’m either listening for our common interests or deciding whether or not I would share you with my network. I know that if I’m in the right place at the right time, actively participating as a catalyst for others, something great will come of it somewhere down the line. I want to learn how others view our current small business economy in light of the over-regulation in our personal and corporate lives, and I want to discover how our combined efforts advance the cause of profitability for the entire sector.

Here are 3 things to keep in mind if you live your life in business to serve your community, and understand that to do it well will require more than your company alone:

1. Position yourself to connect with those already making some difference toward your goals.
2. Invest time in continued, open-eared conversations so you can be helpful when the time comes.
3. When the workload becomes unmanageable for whatever reason, eat bologna and get a coach.

YOU are the fabric of America, and make no mistake, you WILL be in a position in the very near future when people will need to know who they can depend on in a very unfriendly economic climate. Change is painful, good or bad – and change is most definitely on the way. It takes at least two great combinations of ideas, products or services to build an alliance, and much effort to get that workflow to work properly. But I believe that anyone can be profitable in any economy when they understand where their strength and wealth really come from, and the effort paid off for Henry Ford, Walt Disney and Oprah Winfrey – to name only a few. When times are tough, the tough become resources and get resourceful. Know your alliances, position yourself to connect with them frequently, and never underestimate the fresh perspective a great business coach can help you unveil. May God continue to bless America, and may we continue to be a Light to the rest of the world.

~ Susan

Originally featured in The OffBeat Business Magazine July 2016.

Susan Hamilton is the owner, host and editor-in-chief at OffBeat Business Media, a business for business digital media resource for strong brand development. Contact Susan at Susan@OffBeatBusiness.com or call 214-714-0495 to discover how digital content can work for you.