Alliance for Massage Therapy

Let's Cozy Up!

What is an Alliance?

I am thinking about the future.   I am also thinking about some conversations I had last week with others committed to the advancement of massage therapy and education.  I am thinking about shared blog conversations.   I am also thinking about the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education.  (AFMTE) http://www.afmte.org/.    I looked up the meaning of the word Alliance and found:

Definition

Coming together of two or more firms to create a unique organizational entity (such as a joint venture), in which each firm retains its individual identity and internal control. The purpose of an alliance is to (1) achieve joint strategic goals, (2) reduce risk while increasing rewards and/or, (3) leverage resources. Since an alliance is neither an acquisition nor a merger, it requires new control methods and new management skills.

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/alliance.html

A connection based on kinship, marriage, or common interest; a bond or tiehttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/alliance

Close association of nations or other groups, formed to advance common interests or causes.

http://www.wordnik.com/words/alliance

Then I read the following from the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education web site.

The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education is an independent non-profit organization established to serve as the voice, advocate and resource for the entire education sector – from entry-level massage training programs through post-graduate studies. The Alliance is the only organization that brings Schools, Teachers, and Continuing Education Providers together under one roof. http://www.afmte.org/

There have been changes in the Alliance and it might be time to rethink the concept of member dues as a form of financial sustainability.  I am very committed to the Alliance but I am also in MEMBERSHIP  DUES OVERLOAD!   I just thought I would present the possibility of an alternative “kinship” structure for the Alliance that reflects the definition of Alliance in the name of the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education.

Using the definition above –

----Coming together of two or more firms to create a unique organizational entity (such as a joint venture),

Right now the AMTA and the ABMP  both have segments that target massage education in addition to the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education.  There are also three different meetings and as a result a splitting of resources. Wouldn’t be great if there was an Alliance where all three come together, pool resources   and stand together in a joint venture for quality massage education?

--- Each firm retains its individual identity and internal control.

Cooperation instead of competition and conflict   -  WOW

The purpose of an alliance is to (1) achieve joint strategic goals, (2) reduce risk while increasing rewards and/or, (3) leverage resources.

AGAIN WOW- Think of the potential!

How about we become partners (defined as persons who share with others in some action or endeavor activity or a sphere of common interest) is a strategic  alliance

Strategic alliances are agreements to operate collaboratively between otherwise arm’s length organizations to accomplish a strategic purpose. Alliances can be either equity or non-equity alliances but all are formed to achieve benefits for the organizations that would not be achieved by operating individually.

Strategic alliances usually have a unique value proposition that uses the specific competencies of each of the organizations to achieve competitive advantage. By sharing complementary resources and capabilities alliance partners achieve quicker and more efficient growth than they would if they developed the resources or capabilities within their own organization.

http://www.mbanetwork.co/strategy/differences-between-a-joint-venture-and-a-strategic-alliance/itemid-192

We could at least brain storm it.

ANOTHER WOW –