Alliance Management as a Profession

According to your text, “a cooperative strategy is a means by which firms collaborate for the purpose of working together to achieve a shared objective. Cooperating with other firms is a strategy firms use to create value for a customer that it likely could not create by itself.” This describes the end state and not the mechanics upon which firms rely to achieve a successful alliance partnership. So is there a career in alliance management?

This is an individual assignment and one in which you can learn more about strategic alliance as a career path to compliment your budding knowledge of the field. Begin by researching strategic alliance professionals in your library and on the Internet. You should also interview a strategic alliance management professional. You can find them through either firms that undertake alliances or consulting firms that assist them. Start your research by answering the following questions:

1. Find any trade associations of organizations or professionals that are aligned with the field.

2. Does the work get done mainly through in-company personnel or consulting firms?

3. What are the benefits, and downsides, to a career in strategic alliance management?

4. Are there entry level positions or is experience required to get into the field?

5. Put together, does this profession have an appeal to you personally? Why or why not?