Hi Leo,

We have a number of successful informal business alliances.  What do they look like?  Our alliances are business owners that can add value to our clients.  They share the same values and ideologies as our consulting business; Straight Talk Group, and value relationship above all else.  How do we maintain and encourage them?  Every 6-8 weeks we hold a not networking 'get together'.  Basically its a casual BBQ where clients and alliances can come for 5 minutes or 3 hours and just hang out and say hi.  It is a 'getting to know you better' scenario, and despite intentionally having it as a 'not networking' magic happens.  

I hope this helps.  

Warmly, Lisa

Hi Leo, we have some informal alliances in WSI. We have struck these alliances with businesses in affiliated OHS/WHS businesses offering complementary services, such as Jim's Test & Tag, Risk Smart Insurance, Detector Inspector among others. These businesses can offer services to our customers and we are happy to refer them on the basis that we know they will offer the level of service we expect. We also receive a significant number of referrals from accountants, lawyers and business advisors who have clients who need an inexpensive but comprehensive solution to OHS/WHS. For me, these work better unofficially, provided you partner with businesses who you know will impress your clients and edify you through the referral.