How Predator and Prey Partnered and Prospered (A Business Fable)

Weird and wacky news from the wild:

Motion-activated game cameras have spotted ocelots (think “little leopards”) walking through the Peruvian rain forest with opossums.

Here’s why that’s wacky: Ocelots are carnivores and LOVE opossums.

Not in the, “I love you; let’s hang out” kind of way.

But in the “Pass the salt and pepper. I love a big, fresh opossum for dinner” kind of way.

In four different locations, though, “predator” and “prey” have strolled side by side, not a care in the world, as if they’re pals enjoying a casual walk in the woods. (Here’s one of the videos).

What gives?

Scientists aren’t certain. But they have a theory.

The opossum may benefit from the ocelot’s hunting skills. The ocelot may mask its scent and hunt more effectively by walking around with a stinky opossum.

Mutual benefit. A practically perfect Peruvian partnership.

Which leads us to YOU and the business of hunting for clients.

Just this week, I was discussing client-getting with marketing master Dave Dee.

And we agreed: Partnerships are a great way to build businesses.

Sure, we can get clients when we go it alone.

But we can get more, quicker when we find the right partners.

Here’s how it works…

Two business owners serve the same kind of people but provide different services and solve different problems.

Each has already done the hard work. They’ve found their audience. They’ve built relationships. They’ve earned trust.

Instead of starting from zero, they partner.

One owner introduces the other to their audience. Not as a pitch, but as a recommendation they stand behind.

The other returns the favor.

The audience wins by discovering a solution they already need.

Both owners gain warm, qualified leads.

Marketers call this “OPL” — other people’s lists.

And it’s a practically perfect strategy to build your business with less chasing.

To implement the strategy, you need good tech systems and the right people (team) to get it done.

Strategy. Tech. Team. The holy trinity of business success.

In February, I’m opening some spots in my new Power-to-Prosper program.

One of the things we’ll do together: Design partnership strategies and implement them so you can grow your business with less pitching, prodding, and chasing.

We’ll work together to design and implement systems — Strategy, Tech, and Team — to help you and your business prosper.

Want to learn more? Reply “OPL,” and I’ll share the details.