An Effective Alliance

Partnering for Profits: Chrysler/Fiat Alliance

Fiat is to take 35% stake in Chrysler under strategic alliance plan. This announcement did not get much press coverage this week due to the presidential inauguration. However it is important news. The sickly Chrysler Corp. has agreed to form a strategic alliance that would give the Fiat, Italian auto empire, a 35% stake in Chrysler and could eventually bring Fiat full control of Chrysler.

The two companies said in a joint statement that in exchange for sharing its small car platforms and fuel efficient engines, Fiat would take an initial 35% stake in Chrysler but would not invest cash.

The indication that Fiat could eventually gain full control was further backed by Mr. John Elkann VP of Fiat and heir of its founding Agnelli family, who was quoted as saying by the ANSA news agency that the company's stake could increase. [To most, this comment means that they are looking for more than a simple alliance.]

An important point that I have always made is not to partner with a sick company. However this is a very smart alliance, especially for Fiat. This alliance will give Fiat the foothold into the USA that it never had. What kind of alliance might give you a foothold into a new market that you’ve been trying to penetrate?

More articles on how to build alliances at http://www.Rigsbee.com/morearticles.htm

Executive Presentation Skills: Self-Confidence

In speech giving, frequently your level of self-confidence will be directly proportionate to the quality of both your speech and its delivery. The two important elements of self-confidence are preparation and practice.

Excellent speech preparation includes: mastery of topic (even if you just did the research), flow of thought and/or persuasion, the quality of your PowerPoint (if you select to use it), planned emotional peeks and valleys, planned emotional releases through humor, and correct length of time. Only amateurs go over their time!

Practice is a whole different issue; defective practice yields defective speeches. While everyone wants their speech to appear to be “fresh” relying on your adlib or improve abilities is surely a mistake. While I would never recommend learning a speech word for word, I do however; recommend that you memorize your outline. Also work in your timing, allowing for audience laughter, which indeed adds minutes to your speech. If you can deliver, in your living room, a great speech to your spouse, significant other, or your children; your speech will be a hit with its intended audience.

Executive Public Speakers, Professional Speakers, and Emerging Professional Speakers; please visit http://www.SucceedInSpeaking.com for additional ideas, assistance, and resources.

Trade Association & Professional Society Executives: Electronic verses Traditional Member Engagement

Andy Steggles wrote a quite informative article which appeared in the January 2009 issue of “Associations Now” titled, “Keeping Score of Your Online Member Engagement.” I highly suggest you read the article.

For me, this article brings to the surface the dichotomy of traditional (in person) member engagement as opposed to cyber member engagement. Up front, I’ll state that both are good, both are important, and both deliver member value.

And, what about the smaller associations that do not have the budgets that the larger associations enjoy—how might cyber engagement be possible? My quick two word answer is: Facebook Groups. Facebook groups are free and take very little skill to administer. I use a Facebook group for Cigar PEG, Inc., the 501 ( c ) 3 that I run.

What about traditional member engagement? In person and cyber member engagement will feed one another. The caution is to not get too wrapped up in cyber engagement. While cyber engagement is important, you can expect several more generations to demand and expect traditional, in-person, member engagement activities.

Association Executives may access association growth articles and member recruitment campaign information at http://www.GrowingYourAssociation.com