Ja-Naé Duane

This February, data center networking giant Brocade and security software innovator McAfee announced that they were joining forces to introduce comprehensive, secure network solutions for customers.  This strategic partnership is bound to make both companies admirable profits, as they are leveraging both of their reputations and offering their reputable products into a single package.  Customers will feel as if they are getting more bang for their buck, and the two companies will benefit from each others respective expertise.

So the nature of strategic partnerships goes in big business.  In How to Start Your Business with $100, I translate this strategy into small business terms.  The easiest way to forge a strategic partnership on a small level is through a barter based system.  Barter is particularly useful for startups, who lack financial capital but have a plethora of skills and services that they can exchange for other business related needs.

I want to hear about your strategic partnerships.  How have you made them work for you?  Have you been able to increase your profits through a strategic partnership?  How did you identify your partner, and how did the two of you negotiate the terms of your partnership?