![Types Of Partners With Whom Global CEOs Collaborate, December 2014 [CHART]](https://trends.e-strategyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/184422.gif "Chart - Types Of Partners With Whom Global CEOs Collaborate")
Innovation was the third most popular reason for collaboration, and PwC noted that companies were entering into diverse alliances, which could help both partners innovate. For example, 66% of CEOs said they were currently engaged or considering collaboration with customers. This trailed only suppliers, cited by 69%. At least half of respondents said the same about business networks, clusters or trade organizations; academia; firms from other industries; and even competitors.
In October 2014 polling by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), executives’ feelings toward their companies’ performances compared with that of their competitors suggested the need for partnerships. Just 12% of execs worldwide felt they had significantly outperformed the competition in profitability over the past 12 months, while 44% said they had somewhat outperformed competitors. Meanwhile, one-third said they were on par with the competition, while 12% felt they somewhat or significantly underperformed competitors. Read the rest at eMarketer.
The e-Strategy Academy covers all aspects of digital marketing including search optimization & marketing, email marketing, social media marketing, video marketing, mobile marketing & public relations.