Date: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at the Cynwyd Club, Bala Cynwyd, PA
Time: Networking, 5:30 PM; Dinner, 6:30 PM; Talk and Business Session, 7:30 PM

Strategic Alliances for Consultants

John Newport and Boyd Sorenson (William Golton, Moderator)

PDF file of Presentation

Abstract:  A Strategic alliance is an agreement between two business entities that provides compensation to each for helping the other party get new business. This is particularly relevant for independent consultants and small consulting firms, where one party may encounter a project that it can't handle, but which would be a good fit for the other party. We will discuss how these agreements might be structured, and relate successes and failures in these types of arrangements. Several internet sites facilitate this, in addition to interpersonal, ad hoc or formal arrangements. Consultants with experience with strategic alliances, or with an interest in setting them up, are encouraged to attend and contribute to the discussion.

Biographies: 
Dr. John Newport provides consulting and R&D services through Chemventive LLC and ChemInnoLab LLC, in which he is a partner. Previous to this he was a Senior Research Fellow at Hercules Incorporated where, in his 34 year career there, he worked on the R&D side of the fibers, film, RIM, resins and paper businesses. His areas of expertise cover polymer chemistry, surface chemistry, rheology and transport phenomena.

Boyd Sorenson is a technical marketing and business expert and executive with over 40 years' experience in defining, launching and operating high-technology new business. Boyd worked 25 years for the DuPont Company, followed by 5 years at W. L. Gore, 4 years importing titanium dioxide from China for North America markets, and 9 years as the President of The CECON Group, Inc.

Dr. William Golton worked 32 years at DuPont where he managed a large analytical and physical measurement group, ran a corporate LIMS project, and managed the quality program for a $2 billion business. He then joined The CECON Group, a broker for independent consultants in science and engineering, where he recently retired as Vice President.

Location: The Cynwyd Club, 332 Trevor Lane, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. From I-76 drive S on City Line Ave. (US Rte. 1). Turn right on Conshohocken State Rd. (Rte. 23); stay in right lane. After second light watch for white left-turn arrows painted on street (about .14 mi/750 ft). Do not follow Rte. 23 left at turn but instead go straight ahead onto Llandrillo Rd. (passing to right of Valley Press printing). After one block bear left onto Trevor Lane at stop sign. Clubhouse and parking are on the left. Please park in lot if space is available; otherwise park on Trevor Lane. If lost, call the club at 610-667-4524, ext. 2