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An initial questionnaire about a possible partner's background, size and resources is useful when evaluating the merit of forming a relationship.   We have a sample at www.structuredpartnership.com for you to review.

This time of year is great for checking in with all strategic partners and conducting a health check.  Pause to review results, what needs to be done by both partes to strengthen the relationship.    And most importantly, how to gain more sales and more clients.  

When you have processes that are measurable, understandable and repeatable, you have structure in your strategic partnerships. 

If a strategic partnership is successful, it can lead to a merger or acquisition.   While this is not the right reason to construct a partnership, it is worth keeping this possibility in mind.   Some of the steps that go into the partnership and the relationship-building can pay significant dividends if an acquisition occurs.   In the meantime, if an eventual acquisition is desired, the best path is to create success.    Close deals, make sales, demonstrate a great working relationship.    With success, the chances the other company will want to acquire are greatly enhanced.    Without success, probably not.   So focus on creating value.  A partnership can be a way to test the waters and see if an ultimate acquisition makes sense.