Service Level Agreements for Partnerships

Service Level Agreements, or SLAs, are crucial not just from the perspective of ensuring high quality work, but they are also significant when it comes to maintaining consistency in deliverables. Because SLAs define customer expectations better, it is crucial to draw up an SLA even when entering into strategic partnerships.

In a strategic partnership, it is vital to document and reinforce details within the communication by way of contracts. This could include the type of strategic partnership agreed upon by both parties, division of responsibilities, associated risks, and payment methods. The type of partnership can define the content of the service level agreement. For example, a joint marketing partnership SLA will differ from that of a referral partnership, etc.

However, here are some features that a service level agreement must outline through its contents and which can prove to be useful in maintaining a strategic partnership over a longer duration of time.

Defining and Maintaining Alignment

In the beginning of a strategic partnership, both parties may be perfectly aligned. This makes sense as negotiations have just been finalized and recent to both parties. However, business goals and objectives must be agreed upon and documented, and an SLA must define these terms for both parties. Businesses are a dynamic environment, and even human resources can change roles on both sides. A strategic partnership agreement is a good way to ensure continuity for the initial alignment, while helping sustain it.

Ensuring Relevance

Relevance is key in a digitally-driven world. Businesses may not move to the cloud in entirety but might make the migration in sections. Both parties must stay committed to adapting and dynamically changing in a way that there is no negative impact on the growth for either. A strategic partnership agreement can help outline details on how the partnering businesses can weave in change and adaptability without affecting growth momentum.

Reviewing Technical Interplay

Technology evolves rapidly and keeping pace could easily translate into a significant financial investment for businesses. For small businesses, it is important to ensure that both parties continue to work seamlessly.

The Professional Perspective

Regardless of how comprehensive the SLA is, a strategic business partnership succeeds when deliverables remain unaffected and clients continue to express confidence in the business. Through all this, when both businesses continue to grow and deliver as defined in the initial stages of the business partnership, the strategic partnership could be called an effective one.

At Analytix Solutions, we have worked closely with startups and small and mid-sized businesses, eventually helping them to comprehensively grow. We have aided clients in forming strategic alliances successfully and in ensuring that:

• The business transforms through the competitive advantage derived
• Plans implemented by the alliance are executed successfully
• The partnership is leveraged for maximum benefits towards both parties
• The partnership continues to grow

We offer customized solutions for companies ranging from accounting and bookkeeping to more complex requirements, including customized automation and software development. For more information on how we can assist your business, call us at 781-503-9002 or email us at sales@analytix.com.

Analytix Editorial Team