Service-based Partnership (Not Size)

As a small start-up company based in Palo Alto, California, the eXpress Corporation is known for following the well-worn path when it comes to technology. That path leads them into an alignment with corporations such as Microsoft, Salesforce.com, Cisco and other big companies that help to market its services. A lot of these corporations are always in need for fresh and innovative ideas to jumpstart their products and services – mainly because it is not entirely possible to develop all of these by themselves in an in-house manner. This was according to John Howard, who is the business development vice president of the company eXpresso Corporation. The company is one that offers online services which lets is clients store, share and edit various Microsoft Office documents. A start up is necessary so that they can find the great new things which would add oomph to their many product offerings.

What They Get Out of It

And in turn, this relatively small company will have the means to reach out into the potential offered by their bigger partner. According to Mr. Howard, such is highly critical in times like these. They now have a way to piggyback on these companies’ marketing power. In fact, there are many more team-ups between small businesses and big business and not just in the industry of technology. They are now being formed in different kinds of industries, according to Steve King, who is a partner from the Lafayette, California-based company Emergent Research. One example could be the service industry, where Luggage Forward had put up their own shipping business in the year 2004 thanks to the assistance of FedEx, a larger partner. This 2009, the company was able to enjoy earnings of up to double digits for every quarter’s shipment growth even if the entire economy is in a downturn.

The Logical Means of Partnering

Aaron Kirley, the co-founder of the company, says that it made more sense to get customers who have partners that are bigger. Aside from FedEx, the company Luggage Forward also works with the company DHL, UPS as well as other small shippers and global partners such as Starwood Hotels. Kirley explains that they are trying to organically grow their company, as well as the whole shipping industry as well. In turn, FedEx has promised to feature Luggage Forward in their direct mailers which will be sent to around three hundred thousand customers in the small-business arena in order to promote its rewards program. Kirley maintains that they try to keep a really close working relationship with them. The director of the company FedEx also says that they as big companies also extend a caring and helping hand to these small businesses.