Strengthening a strategic alliance is a long-term partnership that is mutually beneficial to both parties that leverage the strength of each other. A minor partner can benefit by alliancing with a large partner to access its solid customer base. In contrast, the major partner can benefit from the niche solution of the minor partner.
Indeed, strategic partnership is a critical lever in driving technology business upscaling. This was the core lesson highlighted in the second leg of 2022's Shell LiveWIRE Virtual Homeroom on 25 August 2022, which trains budding entrepreneurs and owners of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises on improving their services and scale.
Serge Bernal, Pilipinas Shell's vice president of Corporate Relations, stated, "Pilipinas Shell has been a partner in the Philippines for over 108 years, and we remain committed to helping Filipino startups, and enterprises adapt, innovate, and thrive,"
He added, "Through the partnerships forged, we can do our share in building a better future for the country. Together, we can keep moving the Philippines forward," and explained the program's vision of nurturing the next generation of innovative entrepreneurs.
Two successful entrepreneurs shared their insights and lessons on how building robust, long-standing relationship networks can forge a stronger supply chain for greater business success: Dennis Velasco, CEO of Prosperna, an online eCommerce platform that provides Philippine MSMEs with a virtual stone front; and Noreen Bautista, CEO of Panublix Innovations Inc., a collaborative sourcing tool connecting designers and brands to tropical textiles and artisan crafts practicing sustainability.
Forging business partnerships
Bautista, who began her first social enterprise in senior college, pointed out that corporate success is related to societal relevance, which affects other organizations.
That synergy can help grow the livelihood communities where she has worked for ten years. "The growth in their business has not been as fast as it could have been," she said. "It's a systemic issue about SME development where micro-businesses don't scale into medium businesses, and that is the kind of social issue I want to address."
