The Power of Two : How Companies of All Sizes Can Build Alliance Networks That Generate Business Opportunities (Jossey-Bass Business & Management Series)

Rating:
Summary: This ground-breaking book will become a business classic.
Review: I gave my only copy away, thus some thoughts from memory! We are preparing the first national awareness and research-fundraising campaign for both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, the two largest (and closely related) degenerative, neurological diseases. Sadly, after 4,000+ hours of my volunteer labor plus another 5,000+ hours of selfless contributions from 36+ volunteers nationwide, since August 1996, we have not found one organization that even comes close to believing or practicing "The Power of Two". Fortunately, we have found and built lasting relationships with INDIVIDUALS that believe and practice the all-important principles explained eloquently, yet in plain English, by the authors of Power of Two. The Power of Two is now required reading for our leadership and for leadership of any organization hoping to associate with us. This powerful book really should be considered by all CEOs of for-profit and non-for-profit organizations as a litmus test for all prospective alliance or JV partners, as well as suppliers and associates; i.e., if others don't qualify as Power of Two participants (and the authors explain how to easily make this determination), then don't waste any more time in "exploring a relationship" or "furthering business discussions"...cut your losses and move on until you locate a Power of Two organization or individual. We have the authors of this essential book to thank for finally giving us a road-map of how to select partners (of all sorts really) and then how to make the partnership or alliance, etc. WORK. How to maximize results. How to stay accountable with all concerned. And how to know when the Power of Two relationship has served its purpose (or not done so), and thus should end. Our mission is to discover how to prevent and control Alzheimer's and Parkinson's by the year 2011. To do so will almost certainly require hundreds of millions of strategically-placed medical research dollars. But most importantly, any sizable task in today's world, including the awesome challenge our Foundation is dedicated to, must be accomplished on a firm foundation of trusted, reliable, empowering, energizing and synergistic RELATIONSHIPS. The Power of Two shows us the way. To all leaders or would-be leaders, if you only read three books this year, make sure this is one! And finally, I am not related to, nor have I met, The Power of Two authors! And I own no stock in Anderson Consulting or the book's publisher!

Rating:
Summary: Insightful!
Review: M&A, the strategy of choice for CEOs in the 1990s, is being relegated to the dustbin of history by partnerships, the flexible, efficient alternative for a global market. As such, executives must learn a new set of skills that focus on creating, strengthening and maintaining relationships. These abilities are the antithesis of the hard-nosed deal-making tactics you learned in business school.
The authors take the concept of partnering farther than many businesspeople will be willing to go when they suggest sharing their business secrets and ideas with everyone from hot start-ups to venerable competitors. But we [...] recommend this short, concise book to high-level executives in need of a partnership primer.


Rating:
Summary: Insightful!
Review: M&A, the strategy of choice for CEOs in the 1990s, is being relegated to the dustbin of history by partnerships, the flexible, efficient alternative for a global market. As such, executives must learn a new set of skills that focus on creating, strengthening and maintaining relationships. These abilities are the antithesis of the hard-nosed deal-making tactics you learned in business school.
The authors take the concept of partnering farther than many businesspeople will be willing to go when they suggest sharing their business secrets and ideas with everyone from hot start-ups to venerable competitors. But we [...] recommend this short, concise book to high-level executives in need of a partnership primer.


Rating:
Summary: OUTSTANDING!
Review: The Power of Two is a must read for any alliances professional!