How Can 1 + 1 = 3?

If you’re a math whiz, then you may want to skip this blog post. Because I’m about to show you how 1+1 can equal 3. Or 300. Or even 3,000.

Let me explain…

Like you, I’m on a ton of lists. So I see what’s going on in the marketplace on a daily basis.

And one thing that’s really jumped out at me lately is the high influx of “how to get more JVs” type of products.

Seems like everyone’s got an ebook, a video, an audio, a teleseminar…you name it. And they’re all claiming to be the one that solves the JV riddle.

Well, I’m here to tell you something that may come as a shock…but it needs to be said.

You need to stop focusing on JVs. Because they aren’t the answer.

That’s right. Contrary to popular belief, JVs aren’t the golden ticket to business success.

Now, do they have a place in your marketing plans? Absolutely. I’ve done dozens of JV deals and made a boatload of cash from them.

But here’s the thing…JVs are only the tip of the iceberg. There’s more–MUCH more–to be had here.

I’m talking about going beyond the JV to establish a strategic alliance with another business.

In a strategic alliance, there’s a deeper, more congruent relationship than just being JV partner or sending an endorsed mailing.

It’s about developing an integrated mindset with one common goal…a side-by-side walk that will not only cause your business to explode, but your partner’s as well.

You’ll join forces on a more profound level, using your multiple resources to help grow each others’ business faster, easier, and more efficiently than ever before.

Plus, with a strategic alliance, you’ll establish yourself more firmly in the marketplace and be viewed by the competition as a force to be reckoned with.

And that’s a very good place to be, because that’s where the REAL money–and the explosive business growth–lies.

So how do you find a strategic alliance partner? Here’s 3 tips to help you narrow the field.

  1. First, make sure your business is compatible with your potential strategic alliance partner’s business. Would it make sense for me to approach Chuck E Cheeses about doing something together? Nope (although my daughters would strongly disagree). Look for someone who has a business that slides together nicely with yours, like 2 pieces in a puzzle. And make sure you have something of value to offer them as well.

  2. Secondly, find a strategic alliance partner you can work with on a personal level. There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to establish a relationship with someone you despise, or who drives you nuts (talking from experience here). No matter how hard you try to ignore it, their idiosyncrasies will affect your decision making–and ultimately the bottom line. No, you don’t have to have them over for Thanksgiving every year. But you will be spending a lot of time together. So you better make sure you can put up with them on an extended basis.

  3. Lastly-and this is most important–COMMUNICATE. Set the parameters of the strategic alliance early on and stick to them. Put them into writing, or better yet have your lawyer do it. There’s been way too many multi-million-dollar agreements that started with a handshake but then crumbled because the two parties involved didn’t hash things out clearly. I don’t want to see yours do the same.

Now, I know what you’re thinking:

Q: How does this all translate into 1 + 1 = 3?

A: Well, it’s very simple actually…

While JVs can offer a way to double your lists, double your profits, and double your business (which is basic math, or 1+1=2)…

Taking the next step into a strategic alliance raises the bar exponentially, giving you multiple opportunities to grow the business on several different levels–which is something that a simple endorsed mailing cannot do.

Furthermore (and possibly best of all) a strategic alliance delivers added value to your most precious asset–your customer base.

By allying with a strategic partner, your products literally become supercharged, delivering bigger and better benefits and solving your customer’s problems in a faster, easier way.

Now they don’t have to make several stops along the way to find the answer. They only have to make one–yours. And all this translates into more customers, more sales, and more profits to your bottom line.

So as you can see, with a strategic alliance, that “2″ doesn’t stay where it is for long. It starts expanding into 3…then 300…then 3,000. And it can keep going from there.

See what I mean?

Let me know your thoughts below…and start thinking about businesses you can form a strategic alliance with that can deliver a windfall of profits for everyone involved.

Rich

P.S. BTW…if you got my cryptic “change everything” email this week, check back on Monday and I’ll reveal what’s happening here at Strategic Profits…

In the meantime, don’t miss Andy and Brad’s newest free video from Stompernet. Talk about an Adwords education.

And it’s not the same ol’ stuff you’ve been hearing for years. That information nearly became obsolete when our slap-happy buddies at Google started doing their thing.

This is an all NEW formula that Brad and Andy have tested to the nth degree, and it’s pulling in major profits for only pennies a click.

Doesn’t cost a thing–go watch it now.

http://www.strategicprofits.com/pages/stompernet-adwords-video/



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  • http://www.himatix.com Gary

    Rich,

    Interesting math.

    Less interesting are the Javascript errors on your pages. If Javascript debugging is enabled in your browser (mine has to), on one page viewers get 32 error messages asking “Do you want to Debug”, where they need to click “No” each time. And on another page you get 25.

    Ain’t looking much further right now ;-(

    Gary

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  • http://www.ayecasher.com David

    What do you mean 1 + 1 doeasn’t equal 3?

    Two guys go into a store to buy a widgit that is advertized @ $30 – They each take out $15 and pass it to the cashier.

    Within minutes the store manager realizes that widgets are on special this week at $25 and instructs the cashier to to find the two men and return the $5 extra they paid.

    This cashier is a smart and thinks: “These two guys were happy to pay $30 so if I just return $1 each they’ll be happy and I’ve made $3.”

    Now do the math: The two buyers have been refunded $1 each and they are very happy because now they only paid $14 each.

    The cashier is happy because he has $3 in his hip pocket.

    So from the $30 originally spent we now have the following scenario:

    $14 x2 = $28 + $3 in the cashiers pocket = $31.

    Of course 1 + 1 can = 3.

    Davmac
    http:www.ayecasher.com

  • http://www.ayecasher.com Davmac

    Hi Rich,

    now to reply to my own comment above.

    Do the math again only this time have 3 men paying $10 each.

    The casher refunds each man $1 and this time pockets $2.

    Now from our original $30 the math looks something like this:

    The three men have now paid $9 each.

    $9 x 3 = $27 plus $2 in the cashiers hip pocket = $29

    Easy isn’t it?

    Cheers,
    Davmac
    http://www.ayecasher.com

  • Nathan

    Wow.

    That was the most profound and thought provoking post Ive read in a while! It intrigued me entirely.

    Hope you post more thought provoking posts like this one in the future. Although I had to read it a couple times because it requires an intricate and in depth understanding of the idea behind JVs and Strategic Alliances.

    Although, I think youre right in your post. Strategic Alliances is absolutely not some semantic terms or something. Its absolutely vital that one understands the difference between it and JVs. Because if you mix them up, you could literally put your business into the ground and lose all your money. So thank you for brining to my awareness this very interesting and in depth post that points out the difference between the two types of relationships.

    Also, I think more people ignore this vital understanding. Its that important. And you are doing everyone a service, and it is absolutely worth everyones time to read your post at least 2 or 3 times because it is very in depth (not complicated, but it does require a very in depth understanding of relationships to grasp the full understanding of it).

    I guess what Im trying to say is that your post is not really for beginners and requires advanced understanding to fully grasp, and yet if you read the post 3 or 4 times you will benefit greatly. But it also helps if you have a PhD.

    Godbless you Rich. As always, fantastic additions to the online blogosphere.

    Nat

  • Nat

    I thought of something I think might be worth sharing. An insight:

    I think perhaps JVs are the lazy persons strategic alliances. Basically, they get 1x when you could get 3x from the same effort and time.

    So people who use JVs = stupid people
    People who use Strategic Alliances = very smart (new “Rich” smart so to speak hehe)

    I think youre DEFINITELY onto something here Rich.

    And anyone that is using JVs still should stop being stupid and should join Rich in understanding this in depth (a.k.a “Rich”) type of relationships he is referring to as Strategic Alliances.

    Youre either for the New Rich or your against the New Rich…so you might as well join us and be a part of Richs understanding. Its where all the money is so dont be stupid any longer hehe

    Again, very insightful post and anyone whose crazy enough to think its wrong or not follow it is crazy and absolutely insane and doesnt know what theyre doing. Fortunately you make millionaires and you dont associate with anyone who is a non-rich person so its good.

    Godbless and heres to many Strategic Alliances and the New Rich!

    Abolish JVs!
    Hail Strategic Alliances!

    Nat

  • http://www.newellfinancial.net Tom

    Finally a fellow truth teller.
    I am sick of all the disguised sales
    pitches slid in on a “cloak and dagger”,
    “value-ad” sales approach. This schmuckey
    aproach to capitalism has me reaching for
    my worn out copy of “Das Kapital”

    Tom

  • http://empoweringsuccess.biz Matt Bluto

    Right on Rich,

    Your math adds up only if (like Sean Casey said) you ad 1+1+”value”to=3 and beyond. Even the terminology Strategic Allegiance appears to have more value than Joint Venture.

    When you have the mentality of service at heart or what Jay Abraham calls “the Strategy of Preeminence” adding value becomes a given and a must.

    As one of your other readers commented, don’t just jump at every easy JV opportunity, pick the ones you can really put your heart and soul into and your enthusiasm well carry you onward and upward.

    Also, have confidence in yourself. Don’t ask yourself if you are good enough for the deal but is the Deal Good Enough For YOU?

    Empowering YOUR Success,

    Matt
    http://EmpoweringSuccess.biz

  • http://www.news-quest.com Dianne

    “much easier to establish a relationship when you are focused on helping them
    with things that are important to them” … So True! When I began focusing on what assets and knowledge I had to put into the ring and not on “what can I get out of this” .. I discovered the law of attraction and like minded people looking to get things done. The more you give the more you get.

    Imagination is everything, it’s the preview of life’s coming events.
    Dianne

  • Anatoly Silkin

    I am admired such instructors!!! A year I study at them
    To run behind the American dream also I hope to become successful!!!
    Sincerely Anatoly Silkin.

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  • Michele

    Hi Larry and Rich

    Excellent point! Those who are successful quickly learn to work with those they like and admire and build win win relationships.

    What is disturbing is the many who ask “What can I do to help you …What are your dreams and so on.. but do little to actually follow through to assist the person they excited. This lack of true assistance is worse than the initial promise and leaves people even more hopeless. As of late it seems to be quite the popular verbage which will soon lose meaning if those whom are doing the promising do not deliver.

    If we are truly walking our talk which people of extraordinary measure do -then we will effectly and sincerely “pass it on” . We will then make an powerful positive impact on the world around us and do what each of us is called to do. What an amazing thought.

    The power we have is absolutely astounding. Let us each have the wisdom to use it wisely for good and do what we say we are going to myself included.

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  • http://www.fernandel.org.mx Fernando Romero Muñoz

    Rich :
    You are right, 1 + 1 = 3 !!!
    But, too
    1 + 1 > 2 which is equivalent to 1 + 1 = 3, but more general.
    and
    1 + 1 + 1 = 1
    THE Father is ONE, The SON is ONE and the HOLY SPIRIT is ONE TOO !!!
    And THE TRINITY is ONE again !!!

    All this is about synergy in General Systems Theory (non-linear mathemathics).

    S H A L O M !!! Fernando Romero Munnoz

  • http://freesecretwaysmakemoney.blogspot.com aireen

    Use the “Power of your SUPERB Blog”>>for the World Top Breaking Hot News>>
    Make $4,800 first month without spending a dime, then more and more…, click
    http://www.contactthem.ws/hit.php?s=10&p=2&w=113710&t=0&c=
    or http://lucrativeinvestment.blogspot.com

  • http://www.ChrisBrisson.com Chris Brisson

    Rich,

    As always… amazing post. This post goes back to your original report where you talk about internet marketers as “opportunists.” JV’s are pretty much seen as opportunistic opportunities to make quick cash.

    I feel that the internet marketing space is and has become the new mlm, but with a mask.

    To build long lasting businesses, it’s focusing on the long term opportunities and the long term partners. Jv’s are quick, but “strategic alliances” are lifetimes.

    Chris Brisson

  • http://video4nubz.com Lisa

    Rich,
    Thanks for your take on “Strategic alliances”.
    I always learn tons of great stuff from you.
    Much appreciated!
    ~Lisa

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  • http://www.thebestdealofyourlife.com Chuck Norlin

    There is opportunity at hand for all of the visionaries here. The name of the game is not the real issue, action is. What a perfect opportunity to create Strategic Alliances starting right here, right now. Discussion is good, action makes money.

    Let’s get started. Chuck.

  • http://www.thebestdealofyourlife.com Chuck Norlin

    Dianne,
    Yep! Three things come to mind: Knowledge; Preparation; Application. When we each share with one another, a pool of knowledge from which to draw is created. When we assist one another in drawing (preparation) from that pool opportunity increases for all who helped create the pool. When the knowledge is properly prepared it is then ready for application, and when properly applied, the opportuity for success is given birth, and from that great things happen.

    It is good to both give and receive, and when we help others have what they want, we have what we want, another foundational block for the house of success.

    Whatever knowledge we have is for sharing. However we may help another prepare, we should. And when the time comes for the application process, we then assist, and together we are.

    Chuck

  • http://www.expertlistbuilding.com Alex Newell

    What starts as a single JV can evolve into a friend / business partner / strategic alliance. Where you draw the line is optional

    Alex

  • http://www.doublemyrevenues.com/money.html Dennis Francis

    The concept is better known as synergy. This can be seen in the varied connections of small businesses who pool their funds, branding and offers to send a joint mailing to all their customers Rather than sending out a disjointed group of products, they sit down, discuss what markets they all share in common and put a collection of offers together that work synergistically for the benefit of those who trust them. I’ve seen it work in direct mail and it works beautifully most of the time.
    Good idea. Thanks.
    Dennis

  • http://www.fire1out.com Gerald T McCann

    Dear Alex,

    Although it seems SPAMMY, is there really such thing as Spamming a Spammer? I have been getting inundated by hundreds of emails from Rich and Mike G about their businesses for months…so I reply with a solution for them to help create additional revenue streams for their members by utilizing a new concept like SMS Mobile Marketing, and now I am the Spammer, Oh contrer’ monfrer’ excuse my spelling…

    Thank you

    Respectfully,

    Gerald T McCann

  • http://www.fire1out.com Gerald T McCann

    Attn: Chuck

    If action is required, you should really consider broadening your audience by marketing directly to potential client’s cell phones via Fire1out.com Mobile Marketing.

    Just to let you know we are an SMS Mobile Marketing company that just partnered with a list vendor who supplies us with cell numbers across the US…They are pre-qualified #’s which people opted in to receive promotional messages…Right now, we have a list of about 50 million numbers that are still available, but are going fast…

    We recently ran a test campaign with another client and 99 % of the calls were received, and only 140 people opted out of 2000 text messages, which is a phenomenal percentage…but just like anything else, timing is everything when it comes to maintaining high opt in ratios…

    We should run a campaign texting a bunch of these cell numbers while they are still hot to help market your products…Please call me when you get a chance to discuss.

    Thank you

    Respectfully,

    Gerald T. McCann
    VP Sales and Marketing
    Fire1out.com
    17 Pine Street 1st Floor
    Morristown, NJ 07960
    732-496-4594
    732-548-4529
    jerry@fire1out.com
    http://www.fire1out.com

    “Have you fired one out today?”

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  • http:/www.MyRetirementNow.com Cranston Howell

    All of this back and forth about definitions is a Boring Subject. Although the study of meanings,soundings and words is interesting to me >>>>Etymologies are not definitions; they’re explanations of what our words meant and how they sounded 600 or 2,000 years ago. go to http://www.etymonline.com/ <<<< We are in the information Age.
    Leaving the obvious to others I would like to say I see what Rich is saying. I have some examples at http://www.MyRetirementNow.com where any add you might respond to is part of my Strategic Alliance. Some others may need a job in the Job Market try JobGob.net where I have a real Strategic Alliance with a well known Company. Sometimes these SAs are more silent than others. Maybe you might look into one of my first SAs at WebSignBoards.com
    If after all this I have missed the Point I apologize but till then “keep a goin’ “. Thank you, Cranston

  • http://www.bloggingwithchris.com Chris Peterson

    Hi Rich,
    I am glad you have given new dimension to JVs as strategic partner. What I liked the most is eit might just be few steps ahead in terms of thinking & action, but by two powerful thoughts together, 1 +1 might as well be 11.

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