Narratieve alignments

Research by Inc shows that two-thirds of entrepreneurs think partnership is a bad idea. Causes: ‘not knowing each other enough’ and ‘unmet expectations’.

Partnership is based on understanding and trust. Fulfilling agreements, sharing the same values and knowing how the other thinks and acts in certain circumstances. In a narrative alignment, we explore the story of each partner and clearly map out both the differences and similarities in thinking and acting patterns. By sharing and discussing each other’s stories, new areas of strength often emerge that encourage constructive cooperation in a positive sense. After an alignment session, we experience more often that partners look at each other in wonder and indicate how it is possible that they never knew certain things and desires from each other.

For whom

• SMEs (10-250) with several active shareholders/partners
• Family businesses
• Merger or acquisition partners
• Alliance companies
• Preferred suppliers
• Supervisory directors as partners in an enterprise
• Investors who want to be more involved

When

• When partners are new to each other after, for example, a merger or takeover
• When actions between partners are increasingly difficult
• When important strategic decisions have to be made
• When partners just want to get to know each other better

Benefits of Partner Alignment

• Increased mutual understanding and trust
• Better interactions
• Broadening of each other’s insights
• Awareness of collaboration
• Making difficult issues negotiable
• Making topics explicit
• Informal and controlled setting
• Being able to reflect in a confidential manner
• Researcher has no interest, is not judgmental
• Attention for emotions
• Showing what is really important
• Being able to separate main issues from side issues
• Inspiration to express feelings and thoughts more quickly in the future
• Learning from your own way of thinking and acting