Blue Sands Associates Inc.

Blue Sands Associates Inc.

Blue Sands Associates Inc. specialises in helping companies make the right strategic partnerships and alliances work. We are recognized for our ability to formulate innovative strategies, foster collaborative team work, and deliver results every time.

Our business is organized into two elements. First we offer business advice and hands on assistance to companies through our consulting services. Second, we have a research program that monitors and analyzes partnering trends and activities in the market. Together these offerings deliver highly specialised capability for making strategic partnerships and alliances work.

Blue Sands Associates Inc. - Partnering to Grow. For more information, please refer to our website at www.blue-sands.com.

Company Details

Company Information

Penny Mcgill
Title: President
Telephone: (416) 208-5955
Fax: (416) 208-9463
Email: Click Here

Services

Blue-alliance Quality Assessment

Blue-value Measurement For Strategic Alliances Blue-Value Measurement examines both the value proposition and the relationship effectiveness. The incentives that are driving the strategic intent are monitored. Plus, the rewards for all partners are made visible, showing the value of working together. APPROACH Phase 1 The real expectations of the strategic alliance are married with partner boundaries. Quantified and qualified success are openly agreed to along with approaches to measuring. At the end of Phase 1, we submit a report containing management needs, metric definitions and a measurement scorecard sample. Phase 2 Processes and tools are identified to deliver quick hit as well as sustainable tracking. We assist in forming practical and creative approaches to implementing capabilities. At the end of Phase 2, we submit a short- and long-term solution scope and an implementation strategy. Relationship Audits Periodic relationship audits verify that ongoing solutions are working effectively and identify areas where shifts in the alliance require adjustments to the operating structure. CREDENTIALS Measurement for us is a way of thinking. We believe it is critical to be grounded in explicitly tracking targets and progress toward those targets. Our measurement experience includes helping many companies define and implement solutions directly related to management information, reporting, and scorecards. We also deliver measurements as integrated part of everything we do. Our track record shows that we create an edge by leveraging measurements to promote a common language and link teams together. Select companies we have worked with include CIBC, Labatts, Bank of Montreal, Systemhouse, Royal Bank.

Blue-alliance Workshop Series The Blue-Alliance Workshop series provides instructional team-building to help foster interaction between people involved in the alliance and to form joint commitments for results from the alliance. The formalized approach is relevant at the launch of an alliance and is an effective tool for revitalizing momentum in a faltering alliance. APPROACH Phase 1 The key aim of the workshop series is to convert the formal contract into collaborative agreements. Specific workshop outcomes are defined during Phase 1 to address boundaries, measurements, operating structures, and relationship practices. At the end of Phase 1, we submit a roadmap for the workshops and help launch the workshop series. Phase 2 Using team-directed techniques, we facilitate the participants toward meeting the outcomes defined in the roadmap. At the end of Phase 2, we submit an outcome assessment and assist partners to understand relationship potential. CREDENTIALS Exceptional results come from people who are committed to making the alliance work. Our approach promotes that structured, solution-focused activities provide common ground and encourage collaborative agreements. In our experience, we have faced considerable challenges in aligning diverse groups toward a unified direction. Using a range of formats, we have designed and managed programs to generate high levels of participation from employees. Select companies we have worked with include Ontario Ministry of Health, Bank of Montreal, CIBC, Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Blue-value Partner Exchange DESCRIPTION Balance and equity are centrally important to a healthy strategic alliance. Partners must experience a fairness for the rewards they receive relative to the contributions they are making in the alliance. This exchange among partners can lighten, or darken, the outlook on an alliance. Evaluation of Assets The value placed on partner contributions must be understood by all partners and can be tangible and intangible assets. Tangible assets are usually straightforward to evaluate such as capital, labour, facilities, etc. Intangible assets, on the other hand, can be challenging to evaluate and then, to gain agreement for the relative value it offers in the alliance. Examples include brand, reputation, good will, knowledge, etc. Differences Among Partners The valuations for partner contributions are likely to be uneven among partners, particularly when the corporate sizes are uneven. For this reason, achieving balance is accomplished by aligning the risks and rewards accordingly. Affect on Relationship Dynamics Partner contributions also impact the dynamics of relationship that affect balance and a sense of equity. Power and control are a direct reflection of the contributions and also influence the feeling of fairness in the relationship. With a clear understanding of partner contribution value, the resulting relationship dynamics are placed in perspective. Link to Perception True commitments to deliver results are made after trust is established among the people involved in the alliance. It is critical that the alliance be seen as equitable among the partners in order to begin the trust-building process. APPROACH The Blue-Value Partner Exchange is based on a proprietary methodology that establishes value for tangible and intangible assets. The evaluation of the assets are aligned in the context of the strategic intent and expected outcomes of the alliance. Phase 1 Evaluate tangible and intangible assets using the formal contract and alliance management strategy as context. Then, gain agreement for the relative value the assets offer to the alliance. Phase 2 Align the risks and rewards pertaining to the alliance according to the valuation of contributions from the partners. Ensure that all partners confirm the Partner Exchange. Phase 3 Implement a measurement process that verifies the Partner Exchange is delivered as planned.

Blue-alliance Research Program OVERVIEW Strategic alliances are on the rise and are increasingly being selected as a key growth strategy for many businesses. The fact that 70% of alliances fail to meet expectations, means that there is a broad knowledge gap for how to make alliances work. Blue Sands Associates Inc. is committed to the learning process for strategic alliances by developing knowledge capital. Our ongoing investment in research tracks key trends and formulates insights about strategic alliances in industry. We then share our findings with our customers. Knowledge capital is transformed into value added perspectives, proprietary tools and enablers and, external context and benchmarking. Our key focus is on how to make alliances work. RESEARCH PROJECTS Alliance Case Profile Research The purpose of the Alliance Case Profile Research is to understand alliance activities and trends based on existing alliances that have relevance to the Canadian environment. Strategic alliances are captured, qualified and compared in a consistent manner. The qualification framework includes industries, alliance structures, business reasons and, partner contributions. These dimensions provide a context for observing alliance trends in selected industries and examining linkages to what makes alliances work. To date, we have more than 500 corporate alliances in our repository. Industry Profile Research We provide ongoing tracking of key issues and trends for various industries such as financial services, technology and business services. Also we analyze certain industries that are particularly active in strategic alliances such as the biotech industry. Subject Matter Research The focus of our subject matter research is to address specific challenges associated with making alliances work. Some focus areas include: Different structures and the implications such as distribution alliances, outsourcing, joint ventures and, mergers and acquisitions Key alliance management concepts including governance, relationship concepts, knowledge flows, portfolio management and, implementation issues Performance tracking topics such as critical success factors, measurements and, value analysis