Last week’s National Small Business Week marked a very exciting time here at Powerlinx. We launched The Partnership Resources Hub for Small Business to celebrate the achievements of entrepreneurs everywhere. This education library is rich with knowledge to help small businesses better plan strategic partnerships.

EY recently concluded that partnerships are on the rise, largely due to a slowing economy and recent innovation concerns. We’ve known this for a while. Fortune 500 companies have long used strategic partnerships to generate new income, but costly advisory services often prevent smaller companies from doing the same.

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Start-ups and fledgling small businesses are facing a cash crisis in capital raising efforts. According to a report from the National Venture Capital Association and Thomson Reuters, last year saw a 10 per cent decrease in dollar commitments by VC firms, while the total number of deals dropped by 13 per cent. READ MORE

Big data is often overlooked when it comes to finding business partners and forging business relationships. Here’s how it works.

Building a successful partnership takes a combination of hard work, collaboration and perseverance, so it’s important to have the right company by your side when undertaking a joint project.
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The power of a perfect partnership can transform companies, disrupt industries and reinvigorate brands. These five case studies of true business collaboration success demonstrate the importance of strategic partnerships, and the widespread benefits they could bring.

View the infographic to see how alliances have recently been a benefit to both prominent industrial leaders such as Nissan and Apple, as well as emerging niche companies with an intent on expansion.

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The old adage of maintaining strong and effective B2B partnerships goes back to maintaining any positive, healthy relationship – communication is key.

True collaboration happens when external business partners begin taking the time to actively listen to and learn from each other, instead of simply dictating terms.

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If you’re considering a joint venture, take a look at how your company can begin the process of forming a long-term, sustainable relationship.

Entering into a joint venture is a smart way to grow your company’s influence, diversify its products and reach new markets. But without a structured plan, starting your joint venture could be quite difficult and your joint venture aspirations could fall flat. Here’s how to identify the best partner for your business, create clear goals and stay on track with ongoing communication.
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Strategic partnerships are critical for businesses that want to compete on a global scale. But many enterprises lack the appropriate strategy, structure or resources to create and maintain a productive business partnership. So where does it all go wrong, and what can your organization do to ensure a successful alliance?

Our most recent infographic shares common mistakes businesses make when forming a business partnership and tips that your company can use to aid in a successful alliance.

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What industry insights and added business value could you discover by listening and collaborating with your import partners?

The recent lowering of trade barriers between the US and a host of other countries is set to simplify cross-border business relationships and streamline the flow of goods and materials. This trend will continue with the recently signed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), while the strong dollar presents an opportunity for importers to lower supply costs and boost the value of customer offerings.

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Looking beyond what you know and diversifying into a new product area or region can be daunting. Finding business partners to aid you on this journey could mean the difference between success and failure. 

In such a complex and cutthroat market, businesses need to understand the power a partnership can provide. When expanding into new markets and product areas, the strength of shared wisdom and resources cannot be underestimated.  READ MORE