fundamental sustainability approaches:
•Ways of Working – Core competencies must be intentionally developed and strengthened within both companies such that all levels of interaction within the partnership demonstrate trust, respect, open communication, and commitment. I find thes competencies to be basic but keep sustainability momentum….
•Organizational Structure – It is important that both partners understand and appropriately segregate the delivery of services in achieving shared objectives from the commercial negotiations and decisions. This allows the partnership framework to create a results focused, problem solving environment rather than relying on the contract to guide the decision making.
•Partner /Governance – Given the importance of clear and open communication at all levels, it is very important that formal discussions be held to establish a framework for joint planning, product road mapping and decision making at all levels, from the tactical manager level up through the executive level. This collaborative framework will provide all parties insight (as opposed to oversight) and a way to develop joint wins together.
•Scorecard and Reporting – As the shared strategic and tactical objectives for the alliance relationship are established, it is critical that a joint scorecard be developed to measure progress against those goals and prompt the partners to develop alternate strategies and approaches when needed.

What other sustainability approaches work for others who work in this space?