BUILDING closer relationships between businesses sounds like an attractive idea but there are often practical problems in making it happen.
  As with any kind of major change there are huge advantages in being able to learn from those who have already gone through the process.
  After all, there are few benefits in repeating avoidable mistakes.
  Partnership Sourcing Limited (PSL) in London, a joint Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) initiative, which is dedicated to building business relationships, has just established a new operation charged with the task of helping companies north of the border.
  Partnering Scotland Limited aims to provide the expertise that businesses need to improve their supply chain management.
  Les Pyle, the chief executive at PSL, said: "Our role is as a catalyst to help both private and public sector bodies."
  "We have a wide network of associates who are experts in many fields. We also draw on the expertise of other organisations with experience in relevant areas."
PSL, which was founded in 1990, is backed by a 27-member steering group with representatives from influential commercial and academic backgrounds.
  Among them are Edward Smith, the Royal Bank of Scotland Group's director of purchasing operations, and Mindy Wilson, the CBI's head of business performance, as well as representatives from Deutsche Bank, TNT, BAE Systems, Jarvis and many other companies.
  The new Scottish organisation - which will be based in Glasgow - has already been in talks with organisations such as Scottish Enterprise to look at the most effective ways of moving forward.

  A forum is being established which will encourage the country's businesses to examine partnership issues and highlight the role they play in ensuring better products and services.
  Mr Pyle said: "It is important to raise awareness of what closer relationships actually mean. It involves having a clarity of objectives, finding a cultural fit between organisations with shared values and developing review mechanisms so the effects can be measured."
  The measurement of success and capacity to identify bottlenecks is clearly one of the

most important aspects of an effective partnership.
  The philosophy behind PSL is that by increasing trust between companies you end up with greater openness and this in turn leads to improved mutual opportunities.

  Project work is a major aspect of the organisation's activities, giving hands-on guidance on such issues as partner selection, partnership formulation and relationship evaluation and management.
  For everyone involved there should be benefits in being able to reduce overall costs and reduce times to market.
  By bringing people together there is also the chance for greater innovation and better customer service.
  "Acting together means you can add much more value for clients than you can on your own"
  "We all know the phrase one and one makes three. And similarly, by bringing people together from different backgrounds you can often be more innovative," said Mr Pyle.
   In the public sector there are particular challenges as the stringent regulations of the tender process have to be taken into account.
  However, Mr Pyle believes a great deal can be done in helping to ensure that these processes will have considerations of overall value at their core, rather than simply being judged on price.
  PSL also organises events and provides research to help companies redefine their futures.
  Likewise, the Glasgow operation will not just be looking at the relationships that companies have with other UK firms.
  Indeed, in a global market, developing good partnerships with companies abroad may well be critical for Scottish success.
  Mr Pyle said: "There is an important international dimension to our work."
  "For example, I was in Singapore very recently and there is certainly a great deal of interest in what we can offer out there too."