Masked Partnerships


By Jennifer E. Goldman, President of Resonance, LLC 

2020 is not your typical year. Not in any sense - for humans, nor for businesses. In a year filled with a tad of chaos, a bit of fear, and a lot of social distance and isolationism, how does one create effective, long-term partnerships?
  • First is mindset: knowing that strategic partnerships can be the difference between going under and staying afloat; between staying afloat and thriving; and personally - between going insane and keeping your head about you. 
  • Next is strengthening the relationships/partnerships you already have. Have you ever heard employers say "It's easier to retain the employees you already have than to hire and train new staff"? The same goes for partnerships - unless they're toxic, it's very beneficial to keep, nurture and enhance the partnerships that already exist for you. Try to think of the people you already know who have been valuable to you personally and/or professionally - make a list if that helps. Reach out, starting with the ones you haven't heard from in a while. Don't ask for anything - check on them, provide something of value, or just make them smile.
  • Still want more? Great - you should! Start a new list: who inspires you that you could easily get an introduction to? Maybe it's someone in a networking group you belong to but haven't met yet. Maybe it's someone who's posts you see on social media but don't know personally. Whomever it is, go for it - ask for the introduction, or introduce yourself. Be sure to say why you're reaching out and do more offering than asking.
  • Ready to take it to the next level? Strategic Partnerships are more than just positive, inspirational people whom you enjoy being around. In order to find a strategic partner, there needs to be a resounding purpose for the relationship - one that is well-defined in it's value to both partners, ideally for things like: for sharing leads, for collaborating on projects, for outsourcing tasks to, for passing along and receiving opportunities, for employee sharing. Whatever the reason, it should be something that makes your business more successful, more lucrative, more efficient, more everything! Who do you know that can help you take your business to the next level and that you feel you could do the same for? Maybe it's a "competitor" - someone who's business is similar to yours. Perhaps it's someone in a complementary field: you're an architect and they're an engineer, you're a chef and they're a farmer, you're a nonprofit leader and they're a person with wealthy friends or friends who like to volunteer. 

There's no limit to the number of Strategic Partnerships you can have - the more the merrier! The key is to foster the ones that are truly mutually beneficial and let go of the ones where one or both of you aren't reciprocating (ain't nobody got time for that!). As we move forward through the second half of this very odd year, let's do so with intention, strategy and hopefulness. May all your goals be reached!


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Board Retreat Cheat Sheet

Creating Opportunities

STOP FUNDRAISING FOR YOUR FUNDRAISERS