I heard Michael Eisner (former CEO of Disney) interviewed on the Diane Rehm show on NPR today talking about his new book – “Working Together: Why Great Partnerships Succeed”. The book is about business partnerships on a personal level (ie. Warren Buffet’s partnership with his #2, Eisner’s partnership with his #2, etc. etc.), but from what he described, it would have applicability to partnerships between companies.
He has high regard for Frank Wells, former President of Disney, and attributes Disney's success to their 10 year business partnership. (Frank Wells died tragically in a helicopter accident in 1994).
It was an interesting interview of a man that is either viewed as an icon or pariah depending on your perspective. It got me thinking about the recent Mark Hurd/HP/Oracle high drama. Hurd's departure from HP and the ensuing escalating rhetoric from both HP and Oracle executives, has caused a serious rift in their longstanding alliance relationship. As a result, both SAP and IBM are swooping in for the kill, both with PR and sales campaigns targeting Oracle-Sun and HP customers. This debacle is a perfect example of how a strategic alliance can go from asset to liability in 60 seconds. Ellison and Hurd have a long standing friendship (they play tennis together).. It will be interesting to see if that personal friendship will allow them to forge a successful business partnership, like the ones Eisner profiles in his book... Might not have a Disney ending..
- Donna Peek
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