Deloitte's 2012 Corporate Development Survey reports more evidence supporting our careers in managing strategic alliances and joint ventures. I think this section from the Press Release sums it up nicely.
While 40 percent of respondents ranked mergers as the most difficult type of deal to execute, nearly one in four (23 percent) viewed joint ventures and strategic alliances as presenting a greater challenge. Also, more than 40 percent of executives concede that their companies are less skilled at executing strategic alliances than mergers. As to why strategic alliances stall or break down, executives most frequently pointed to the alliance partners' differing views and their inability to align strategy.
"Strategic alliances and joint ventures can be difficult transactions, nevertheless we are seeing a notable uptick in this area," says Chris Ruggeri, principal, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP and its Merger & Acquisition Services leader. According to Ruggeri, "The perception of strategic alliances is changing from a last resort to a preferred investment strategy, especially in emerging markets, and companies are learning from industries like technology and life sciences that use strategic alliances very effectively to manage risk and capital."
The Press Release is http://goo.gl/Z6nkx and the URL for Deloitte's 44-page survey is www.deloitte.com/us/cd2012. Enjoy, Greg