The Chinese Online Writing Lab

1.15 Proposals regarding technical cooperation

Dear Ms. Smith,

Acknowledgement of materials received

I am much obliged for the audiovisual briefing you sent us, which was received on 11/30/92

Your proposed cooperative framework

Regarding our working partner relationship for the promotion of XYZ treatment technology in Taiwan, we propose the following framework to ensure that the specific requirements involved in this project are:

I hope this illustration is self-explanatory. I am looking forward to hearing your response to this proposed framework. Kindest Regards.

Sincerely yours,

Writing exercise

Proposing a framework for technical cooperation. Using 1.15 as a model, write a letter proposing a framework for technical cooperation between your organization and an overseas firm. Create an illustration similar to that in 1.15 to visually clarify the relationship.

1.16 Details of technical cooperation (strategic alliance)

Dear Dr. Jones,

I should have informed you earlier that we have taken over responsibility for the XYZ Project from Dr. Chen as of last May.

Advantages of a cooperative relationship between your two organizations

We earnestly hope that your esteemed company and UCL/ITRI can work together to promote the application of XYZ technology treatment of hazardous materials. ITRI, a government-funded, non-profit organization, is the only national research institute that focuses on industrial technology. We have learned that XYZ works well the treatment of toxic and non-biodegradable wastes. Waste treatment has become the focus of increasingly stringent environmental ROC regulations. We recently performed a market survey that reveals that XYZ is one of the most appropriate treatment technologies for various hazardous wastes, and that XYZ has a large market potential in Taiwan. Your organization not only owns WAO technology but has also successfully commercialized it elsewhere. Therefore, UCL would like to invite you to participate in a strategy alliance to explore the Taiwan market for XYZ, as well as the market in the entire Asia-Pacific Region.

Goals to be reached in the cooperative project

Moreover, we feel that the following tasks will need to be undertaken in the next two or three years:
1. First, we need to establish the capability for preliminary design of batch XYZ proceses, and recommend suitable facilities.
2. Second, we need to establish the capability for preliminary design of continuous WAO processes.
UCL possesses a two-liter batch WAO facility constructed by XYZ Engineers, Inc. (Model No.1234567890). We have already conducted a treatability study of landfill leachates and sizing wastewaters. We have also attempted to define the relationship between treatment effectiveness and such parameters as operating temperature, pressure, and retention time. We continue to conduct surveys of the sources and sizes of the wastes that can be appropriately treated by WAO. So far, the WAO market potential looks quite promising.

Details of cooperative strategy

An alliance between UCL and ABC Corporation could work as follows: UCL could perform the feasibility studies and, with ABC assistance, undertake the preliminary design. The results obtained from our study can provide guidance for those companies which are considering whether to purchase WAO technology from your firm. Areas of concern With this in mind, we include below two sets of questions which require your clarification:
1. If our Autoclave bench facility cannot satisfactorily complete the above mentioned tasks, will additional equipment be required? How much will such equipment cost? And, given the nature of WAO technology promotion, can ABC help UCL obtain the requisite equipment? Will it be necessary to install a bench-scale continuous-type WAO?
2. In performing scale-up design from bench to pilot and/or full-scale design, what parameters, besides operating temperature, pressure, and retention time, are required?

We are looking forward to hearing from you. Please do not hesitate to contact me if any questions should arise.

Sincerely yours,

Writing exercise

Spelling out the specifics of technical collaboration. Using 1.16 as an example, write a letter focusing on the details of a cooperative relationship. Be sure to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Provide a brief argument in favor of a cooperative relationship between your two organizations. Emphasize your organization's commitment to the development of this technology in Taiwan.
• Outline the tasks that both organizations must perform to achieve successful technical cooperation(or strategy alliance).
• Request clarification in any matters concerning the cooperative agreement that remain unclear.
  
  

NOTE:

Proposals regarding technical cooperation技術合作計畫書的架構 belongs to correspondence that involvestechnical cooperation.

Common elements in correspondence that involves technical cooperation include:

Stating your organization's intention of seeking cooperation

Simply stating the motivation behind your organization's desire to form a cooperative relationship with another organization helps avoid future confusion. Examples are provided below:
"I'd like to propose a technological information exchange between our two organizations regarding environmental pollution prevention-waste minimization."
"We are seeking potential licensors of the Autoclaved Lightweight Concrete (ALC) product technology on behalf of local manufacturers in Taiwan, R.O.C."
"In addition to our in-house R&D, we are also considering the possibility of technology transfer, from a foreign company, of a technology that is ready for (or close to) commercialization and that is already under patent protection."
"We are currently involved in a gear box development program and are seeking foreign partners who are capable of developing gear boxes or who can engage in a cooperative technical program with automotive manufacturers in the R.O.C."
"We are anxious to develop long-lasting cooperative relationships with manufacturers such as yours."
"We recognize that the continued sucess of our work depends on our sharing and exchanging experience with similar organizations."

Giving background information about your organization (e.g., mission ,major activities, and achievements)

Providing background information about your organization allows the other party to know whether your interests and expertise are compatible with theirs:
"Our organization, Mechanical Industry Research Laboratories (MIRL), is a subsidiary of the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) established by the government of the Republic of China(R.O.C)."
"One of our missions is to aid the local industrial sector by upgrading technology levels. One of our strategies is to license technology from abroad."
"The experimental results generated so far in this project have already been most helpful in Taiwan's environmental protection work."

Providing suggestions on how to initiate cooperation

"I am looking forward to hearing your ideas or suggestions regarding this information exchange opportunity. I would also like to arrange for a ten-day technical visit to your organization this upcoming May as the initial step of our cooperation."
"If you are interested in licensing this technology, please send the above mentioned information to the above address for evaluation."
"Further discussion, or a possible visit by members of ITRI to your production facility, would seem to be the appropriate next step."
"I suggest that ABC Corporation send a technical expert to UCL before the end of July and give a presentation, regarding the product development of this technology, to our scientists and technical staff."
"Please let me know if there are any areas of common interest you would like to discuss."

Commending the achievements and reputation of an organization

Sincerely acknowledging or commending the other party's success in a particular technology expresses your intention to contribute toward as well as learn from the collaborative relationship:
"Your corporation has a long tradition of providing outstanding engineering TP (e.g., Noryl) that has various properties and excellent quality."
"ABC Corporation is recognized as the global leader in developing, producing and marketing transdermal drug delivery systems."
"ABC's Biotechnology Group has developed some interesting products that we would like to understand in more detail before reaching the licensing stage."
"Stat-Rite 2300 is an excellent anti-static polymer that blends well with other thermoplastics and can be used in ESD applications. We believe that this permanent anti-static plastic has a strong market potential, especially in light of the emerging electronics industry in Taiwan."

Describe the reason(s) for technical cooperation

More than merely attempting to describe your company's interest, try to outline specific plans or describe what has been achieved so far:
"A new facility is to be established in Taiwan to design, develop and produce auto transmission parts. Therefore, we are seeking partners for technical cooperation through licensing and joint venture agreements."
"We are currently involved in a gear box development program and are seeking foreign partners who are capable of developing gear boxes or who can engage in a cooperative technical program with automotive manufacturers in the R.O.C.