Dates                                                                              
  
9 October 2008
13 February 2009
10 July 2009
3 December 2009

Course Overview

The course focuses on the nature, structure and objectives of joint ventures and strategic alliances and highlights the requirements for effective corporate partnership.

Participants will learn to assess whether a proposed joint venture is likely to be the most effective means of promoting a company’s activities into new markets, product lines or services. Emphasis is placed upon the identification of a suitable partner and upon the establishment of a workable structure, an effective management and an efficient exit route.

The legal framework and related tax consequences of particular types of joint venture and strategic alliance are also outlined within the overall context of an essentially practical course.

Course Content

Background
The nature and structure of corporate partnering
Overview of objectives
Advantages & disadvantages
Senior partners/junior partners

Selecting a corporate partner
Motivation
Acquisition vs. alliance
Clarification of expectations
Strategic assessment of objectives
Developing an alliance strategy
Screening and selecting the candidates
Traps to avoid and reasons for failure
Analysis of relationship & performance risks

Types of structure
Contractual joint ventures
Corporate joint ventures
Tax considerations
Dual headed structures
Loose strategic alliances
Equity investment?
Minority protection

Negotiations
Key factors for negotiation
Different emphasis to acquisitions
Compromise

Managing the venture
Preservation of confidentiality
Avoidance of conflict or dependency
Management qualities required
Handling conflict
Resolving cultural difficulties
Control systems & committees

Termination
Exit planning
Pre-arranged mechanisms
Russian roulette
Mexican shoot-out
Mutually assured destruction
Picking up the bits
Protection for the future