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14 Signs You Have a Paper Partnership

Partnerships have become so important to business growth and success that some organizations have started to collect partners like they are some sort of prize. The problem is that we are often solidifying potential partnerships into written agreements before meaningful relationships have had time to sprout and mature. Just because you believe a certain person […]

That business problem you think you’re fixing isn’t really the problem. Symptom vs. Source

Most of the frustrations, challenges and irritations you have about your partners, stakeholders and alliances are not the true issue.  Most of what you are trying to fix are symptoms of a deeper root cause. Why is this distinction so important?  Resources you are investing in solving symptoms are not actually fixing the problem underneath, […]

How to Dream with a Prospective Partner

All partnerships start with the possibilities of something different and better.  Everyone has the capacity to dream; but most adults are out of practice.  This makes dreaming even harder to do with a prospective partner!   So where do you start?   Questions are a great way to frame a conversation about the possibilities of […]

Partnership Myth 19: Having a formal written agreement will make the partnership more complex

A written agreement doesn’t make the partnership complex. A complicated, convoluted, intricate written agreement that partners don’t understand is what makes the partnership more complex. One of the challenges leaders experience when formalizing a partnership is determining the type of agreement needed to facilitate the partnership objectives (e.g., memorandum of understanding, service agreement, etc). Another […]

Partnership Myth 18: Having a formal written agreement will ensure better performance and communication

Do you think that even the most articulate marriage contract would guarantee harmonious relationships, where partners communicate clearly and perform better as spouses? Not a chance! Contracts and other written agreements are tools to facilitate the partnership process. They are designed to clarify roles and expectations, and facilitate communication and performance. They don’t guarantee it. […]

Partnership Myth 17: All partnerships should be formalized and have written contracts

Do you require all of your family, friends and colleagues to sign an agreement outlining the terms of your relationship? Of course not. Written contracts are tools that can be used by partners to help facilitate the partnership process and meeting the partnership objectives. Written documents help to outline the results, roles, responsibilities and terms […]

Partnership Myth 16: Funding reports are a waste of time

Receiving funding isn’t a right, it’s a privilege! Doing the paperwork is part of the fair exchange for receiving funding from external organizations. It’s how you earn the right to play the funding game. Reports help the partnership because: • your partners are held accountable for results, actions, deliverables and timelines • they clarify roles […]

Partnership Myth 14: The partner that holds the money should run the show

The process for selecting a leader for your partnership can stop a partnership before it even starts. The process can be so uncomfortable that partners default to generic criteria. “The leader should be the one who: contributes the most money and resources; is the largest organization; has the most to lose; or who has the […]

Partnership Myth 13: We should always try to collaborate

Not true. Within partnerships, not every task requires people to collaborate or work together. Some tasks are more efficiently and effectively completed in isolation. Involving more people, taking the time to learn how to work together, in order to complete a task or goal, could be a waste of time and use up scarce resources. […]