How can you equip your alliance leaders for success?

1 Assess their competencies

Alliance leaders need a specific set of competencies to manage alliances effectively. These include strategic thinking, relationship building, cross-cultural communication, negotiation, problem-solving, and innovation. You can assess your alliance leaders' competencies by using tools such as the Alliance Competency Model (ACM) or the Alliance Leadership Index (ALI), which measure their strengths and areas for improvement. Based on the assessment results, you can design and implement a tailored development plan for each alliance leader.

2 Provide them with training and coaching

Alliance leaders need continuous learning and development opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge. You can provide them with training and coaching programs that cover topics such as alliance strategy, governance, best practices, tools, and frameworks. You can also leverage external resources such as the Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals (ASAP), which offers certification, education, and networking for alliance professionals. Additionally, you can pair your alliance leaders with mentors or coaches who can offer guidance, feedback, and support.

4 Engage them in governance and alignment

Alliance leaders need to be involved in the governance and alignment processes of the alliance. You can engage them by inviting them to participate in the alliance steering committee, joint working groups, and regular meetings. You can also facilitate communication and collaboration among them and other alliance stakeholders, such as senior executives, functional managers, and partners. Moreover, you can align their goals and incentives with the alliance vision, mission, and values.

5 Support them in managing challenges and risks

Alliance leaders need to be prepared and supported in managing the challenges and risks that may arise in the alliance. You can support them by providing them with tools and methods to identify, assess, mitigate, and resolve potential issues and conflicts. You can also help them to leverage the strengths and opportunities of the alliance, such as synergies, innovation, and learning. Additionally, you can create a culture of trust, transparency, and accountability among the alliance partners and stakeholders.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?