Rating: 
Summary: Credible reviews
Review: I don't know who the brain surgeons are that posted the last 2 reviews, but they are clearly people who haven't read fortune magazine, possibly live under a rock, or have a personal beef with Ms. Gerdes; regardless they clearly can't spell or write in comprehensible grammer, thus anyone basing an opinion upon these reviews would be foolish.Ms. Gerdes' references to Uniglobe, Network Appliance, and a whole host of companies are very real. For the brain dead that wrote the last two reviews lacking any substance, perhaps you should spend the money to purchase periodicals that highlight NetApp as one of the best places to work - it is a real company. Further, the last time I checked people like Gary Charlwood (Uniglobe) and Dan Warmenhoven (NetApp) are real, very successful CEOs that clearly contributed to the book. For anyone else that questions the value of this book, do as I did, go to a book story (local store, etc.) and read the 1st chapter or 2 for free OR read any of the excerps that have been published online. You'll find that Ms. Gerdes has done more with this one book to outline the realities behind alliances and how to be successful therein than anyone else in the industry. Our company owns several copies now and it is manadatory reading. It is a shame that people like the last 2 provide so little depth in their analysis of the book, yet have such scathing things to say. Experience tells any savvy business professional that the world is full of people that complain, yet have no answers or value to add of their own. Hopefully review boards like this one will police themselves and discourage people that add no value from contributing garbage.
Rating: 
Summary: Finally a book with female executives
Review: I echo an earlier email about Ms. Gerdes' ability to create models for all industries. She also does an excellent job of taking examples from different business types and sizes. I particularly liked the fact that the book includes examples of revenue generating partnerships created and concluded by females. Its a credit to Ms. Gerdes that both novice first timers and experts alike can use her models equally well to create significant corporate returns.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't use your money for this kind of books
Review: I must have been one of the first to read this book in November when it was released. I create partnerships for a living at a small company (less than $25 million in sales) and we are just considering some of the partnerships the author recommends. The book very succinctly addresses the pros and cons of "why" one partnership type over another. It also backtracks and gives the context of the partnership, so the intent of the partnership matches the type pursued and created. I'm also a history buff and went out and purchased the book the author cites for the historical references. It is The Basque History of the World by Mark Hurlansky. The book focuses on the Basques in Spain, and Gerdes has used references throughout her book and paralleled how a community can survive in a changing world through partnerships. It's clear that Gerdes took the human principles of strategic warfar and applies them in Navigating the Maze. Specific references to reviled figures such as Franco, who 'wore the same clothes as his partners wore' during meetings, are used to convey simple principles such as matching tones with your prospective partners. Or in other words, don't wear a black suit when your prospective partner is wearing jeans. I recommend it strongly for future reading for another view on historical partnerships, although this is only a part of the content. The authors ability to take historical pieces of information from renowned sources, articulate the outcome, apply it to modern day needs has been artfully done. This novel approach makes the book both relevant and interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Past and Present
Review: I must have been one of the first to read this book in November when it was released. I create partnerships for a living at a small company (less than $25 million in sales) and we are just considering some of the partnerships the author recommends. The book very succinctly addresses the pros and cons of "why" one partnership type over another. It also backtracks and gives the context of the partnership, so the intent of the partnership matches the type pursued and created. I'm also a history buff and went out and purchased the book the author cites for the historical references. It is The Basque History of the World by Mark Hurlansky. The book focuses on the Basques in Spain, and Gerdes has used references throughout her book and paralleled how a community can survive in a changing world through partnerships. It's clear that Gerdes took the human principles of strategic warfar and applies them in Navigating the Maze. Specific references to reviled figures such as Franco, who 'wore the same clothes as his partners wore' during meetings, are used to convey simple principles such as matching tones with your prospective partners. Or in other words, don't wear a black suit when your prospective partner is wearing jeans. I recommend it strongly for future reading for another view on historical partnerships, although this is only a part of the content. The authors ability to take historical pieces of information from renowned sources, articulate the outcome, apply it to modern day needs has been artfully done. This novel approach makes the book both relevant and interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Insightful
Review: I thought the book was perfect at delivering a message in an easy to understand way, but still including the detail and substance to make it valuable. A great way to derive knowledge from someone who has been through the many partnership scenarios before, preparing you for the road ahead.
Rating:
Summary: Substance, not Hype
Review: I too am an MBA and work in corporate marketing as a director of partnerships for a Fortune 2000 company. I've actually had the experiences Ms. Gerdes describes of leaving tens of messages, getting the run around and being told I don't have the right business case for a partnership. I've also used some of the tips she describes, and can say they work. Anyone who hasn't had these experiences and knocks the book obviously hasn't had to create an actual partnership. Anyone who has been in the trenches like Ms. Gerdes knows that this is nothing more than reality. She says "partnerships aren't sexy" and she's right. They are plain old hard work, and anyone who says anything different is naive. This book is the only one on the market with specific how-to's. Forget academic books on philosophy. Get real substance without the hype from this book. A must read and a must recommend to anyone creating REAL alliances
Rating:
Summary: Spineless Imbecile
Review: I would like to know who is the spineless imbecile that, after having read this "book" can give a positive review of it.
Rating:
Summary: Realistic
Review: I'm with a company that was purchased by Microsoft. Each and every thing we encountered was described in this book, from the b--s--- we heard up front to the technical due diligence we encountered. While the outcome was good for us (and me), we would have been much better off if we'd been prepared. This book isn't fancy, and it doesn't have lots of new models, but it does reflect reality.
Rating:
Summary: Brainless but good
Review: If you are just figuring out the world of business and partnerships, this book is for you. I've been in it for over twenty years, and much of this is simply put, brainless. One could argue that what Ms. Gerdes has done is nothing more than take obvious patterns and call them trends. Or common processes and call them models. Her tools sets are about the most obvious things in the world, but maybe someone, somewhere out there needs partnerships reduced to the most basic level. Not everyone can afford to hire McKinsey Consulting, which is a good thing for Ms. Gerdes, since she has used the Suze Orman approach to writing. Advanced partner managers beware, you will hate this book. Everyone else who likes Oprah and Suze Orman will probably love it.
Rating:
Summary: Addresses my industry
Review: It is not easy to find a book that has anything relevent to say about more than one industry, particularly for partnerships. It seems like technology and entertainment are the only industries worth covering. But Gerdes has created models that really do work in multiple sectors. I'm not even halfway through the book and I've already been able to apply a number of techniques to the precious metals industry. If the last half is as good as the first, it will be well worth the price.
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