As an HR executive charged with finding ways to expand an organization, conduct additional research on characteristics of ideal alliance candidates. . Describe a successful partnership that you found in your research. Would you characterize it as ideal relative to Kwicien’s seven characteristics?

As an HR executive charged with finding ways to expand an organization, conduct additional research on characteristics of ideal alliance candidates.

. Describe a successful partnership that you found in your research. Would you characterize it as ideal relative to Kwicien’s seven characteristics?

. Cite an example of a partnership that initially appeared to be ideal, but failed to come together as hoped.

. Describe how it has progressed thus far.

· If less-than-ideal partnerships can succeed, what is the lesson in that for HR professionals?

· Accepting Kwicien’s premise about “thinking outside the box,” suggest at least three ways for HR to facilitate original thinking in searching for alliance partners.

· Justify the use of a limited HR budget in pursuing “outside the box” alliance partners.

· What are possible negative consequences for HR in encouraging original thinking in the search for ideal alliance partners?