ABSTRACT
This chapter makes the case for the increasing systematisation of business-to-business (B2B) partnering. It argues that partnering and partner ecosystems will become more popular in general business conversations than alliances and alliancing. However, the authors also make the point that the distinction is moot since both rely on the same fundamental principles of active collaboration. The reader’s attention is drawn to the emergence of industry standards of B2B partnering (ISO 44001) and the increasing variety and sophistication of partner relationship management tools. Finally, the case is made for the adoption of best practice, standards, models and tools as a means of accelerating alliance performance and the identification of a new breed of industry leaders who conduct their alliances using ‘agile’ trends, processes and procedures. Hence, the central theme of the book which is ‘Agile Alliances’.
