As technology is rapidly perfected, more and more users become overwhelmingly interested in the latest and greatest gadgets to make their lives easier, more convenient, and more useful. However, to think past just plain technologies; one would have had no prediction what alliances could do for a companies total revenues. In 1980, companies cashed in on less than 2% of their total revenue from alliances. With such a low percentage, companies were very discouraged. However, in 2002, revenue from alliances grew to 35%. Why? Because of the advances in technology, web-based technologies, e-businesses, and e-commerce applications have become more popular than ever. The convenience, the advantages, and the ease of use that is produced from these advances appeal to the consumer. When GM and Fidelity saw a niche they ran with it. In order to have the ability to offer Virtual advisor, a voice-enabled information delivery system, this enabled current On-Star customers as well as new On-Star customers, the ability to buy, sell, and trade stocks from behind the wheel. GM is able to offer this service as an incentive to gain customer subscriptions to their On-Star system; Fidelity on the other hand, was able to boost business by using another company's customer base.
             Fidelity is now able to offer nearly 800,000 customers their services at any time while the customer is driving in their automobile. This type of innovative growth strategy provides a unique representation of their company in a whole new perspective. In addition, the customer gets directly connected to begin trading without suffering through the dreaded wait times on their cell phone, they don't ever have to take their hands off the wheel once connected, and they can keep their eyes on the road. GM can promote this as a safe new alternative to managing their customer's money without taking the safety out of driving. Furthermore, the customer will not be ta...