From networking with the right people to when partnerships end, Roxie Bennet OAM, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects at Leisure Networks, Sameera Aduru (MHealth’20), Strategic Lead, Cultura, and Sandeep Namburu (MBA(Intl)’18), Founder and Brand Architect, Magsmen Strategy Consultants, discuss the nuts and bolts of collaborating with others.
Seven steps to building partnerships
Choose the right partner
‘It’s all about targeting the right people in the organisation, understanding their vision and understanding what they can bring to the table,’ Sameera says.
Consider the value you offer
‘In any partnership, there is a quid pro quo,’ Roxie says. ‘It might be a partnership, particularly at a not-for-profit, where you have a corporation who is giving you dollars. Consider what can you, as an organisation, give back of equal value and be able to quantify and show that.’
Do your research
‘If you have something compelling aligned to that organisation because you’ve done your research and you know their strategic intent – if you’ve got that right, then they’ll feel good because they can take some of the gloss for why they’ve introduced this person into their organisation,’ Roxie suggests.
Open doors through networking
‘There’s a whole bunch of networking that has to happen,’ Sandeep says. ‘A transaction happens only through a strong relationship.’
Build lasting relationships
‘If we can build a partnership where it doesn’t matter if I’m in the room or not, and my main champion isn’t there either, then it’s a good partnership,’ Roxie believes.
‘If both sides are winning from it, then whoever comes into the role next would be crazy not to continue it. So, it’s about building a solid enough relationship.’
Know the warning signs
‘There are three things that gives us a sign of where the partnership ends,’ Sandeep says. ‘
‘One, if you don’t have vision of what the other partner is doing, the partnership is going to end.
‘Second, if there’s silence in communication, the partnership is going to end.
‘Third, if you feel bad about the consequences, but not curious about solving them, the partnership is going to end.’
Don’t be afraid to fail
‘I have failed multiple times – I think a thousand times, to be frank,’ Sameera admits. ‘And I am very proud to talk about my failures because that’s how I learn.’
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