Partnerships

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Tilix Business Architeture
Tilix AI engages in numerous partnerships, taking a holistic viewpoint and adopting a systematic approach to collaboration.

The Tilix AI partner eco-system comprises a mix of cultures, organisational maturity and domain expertise. We favour efficient and effective partnerships which empower and connect stakeholders including our people, our clients and our supply chain.

Key Challenges

Partnering is not low-cost nor a quick fix, particularly when dealing with wicked problems. Economic, environmental and societal challenges are so complex that collaboration is necessary but not sufficient.

Few companies in our experience take the time to articulate their own business model. Fewer have any clear idea about the business models of their external relationships. Henry Chesbrough

It is vital that in every partnership there is ongoing consideration of factors including:

  • Loss of autonomy
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Drain on resources
  • Implementation challenges
  • Negative reputation impact

Benefits

Partnerships and collaborations are initiated and formed for many different reasons, for example:

  • Drawing on a wider pool of talent.
  • Accessing knowledge that reduces risk.
  • Access to new customers and markets.
  • New value propositions
  • Increase brand awareness and trust.
  • Improve quality & reduce cost
  • Innovate and problem solve faster

In complex scenarios, working in collaboration with different players from different societal sectors is often the only route.

Core principles

Partnerships can be pretty hard to do. Commitment, leadership, a collaborative mind-set, and strong relationship management are necessary but not sufficient. Underlying all this is the necessity to adhere to the core principles of partnership:

  • Equity: Every partner has equal right to be at the table but and provide a fair and reasonable share of the input resources.
  • Transparency: Only with openness and trust can a partnership be truly successful.
  • Mutual benefit: Just as important as delivering a common good, each partner should enjoy specific benefits.

Creating concurrence between stakeholders on the strategic importance of collaboration is a key area of focus for Tilix AI when working on partnerships. When parties are clear about each other’s strategic objectives it is easier to spot opportunities and define:

  • Requirements: What help is needed? What is the desired value from a partnership?
  • Value offer: What is given in exchange? Is there a quid pro quo?
  • Activities: How will partners be connected and exchange value?
  • Goals: What is the end result? What is the value delivered by the partnership?

This article was updated on April 26, 2023

Neil Williams

<p>Neil is an investor and advisor in energy, cleantech and mobility. He strongly believes that businesses have two (and only two) basic functions: MARKETING and INNOVATION. He helps firms create and retain customers through his expertise in data science, digital engineering, enterprise architecture, partnership brokering, industry nous, research etc. His home turf is Edinburgh, London and Helsingborg.</p>