Partnerships have some unique relationship challenges. Partners need to be in sync with each other and operate in a united way in order to drive common outcomes. If they’re not aligned and they’re not working together in a cohesive and supportive way, it can really create some massive problems, not only for the partnership, but also for the success of the business as a whole.
Our Partnership Creativity program fosters collaboration and alignment ensuring their is role clarity and clear expectations. The partners’ focus shifts to supporting each other and driving business success.
PHASE ONE: DIAGNOSE
When partners are in distress, it can be challenging to uncover what’s really going on. Each partner may experience the same situation differently with opposing views on how to resolve it. Over time, seemingly small issues can fester driving a wedge between the partners.
Our first step is to understand what the real issues are and what are misperceptions.
This phase provides an assessment of the :
- leadership styles and the behaviours of each of the partners; where these are helping and where they are hindering progress
- expectations of each partner and each other; where they are aligned and where they diverge
- the key challenges, frustrations and issues as perceived by the partners; is there a plan of how to address the issues or are they being ignored
PHASE TWO: DESIGN
Using the data collected from phase one, a tailored solution is developed to actively align the partners. This targeted approach addresses the specific challenges within the partnership.
We collectively discuss and agree the approach and content for the program which includes a blend of services:
- Facilitated Alignment workshops
– initially with the partners to clearly define expectations, roles and responsibilities, approaches, processes.
– can be expanded to include the wider leadership team to cover strategic planning and alignment - Group coaching on challenges specific to your partnership and business
- One-to-one coaching to support each partner and their specific challenges
PHASE THREE: DELIVER
The program will buld a common foundation and framework for the partners to operate within.
The agreed outcomes will be documented in their ‘Partnership Protocol’. This is an essential document that helps bind the partners around a common apporach and provides guidance on ‘who we are as a team and how we will get there’. It does not replace a formal legal partnership agreement, rather it complements the legal agreement with the practical aspects of how the partnership will operate.
The Partnership Protocol is designed in accordance with the needs of the partnership and may include details such as:
- The Business Strategy, including agreement on:
- The business ‘Why’, Vision, Values, Expected Leadership/Partner Behaviours
- Long-term Strategic Plan
- Partner Roles and Responsibilities
- Maintaining Strong Relationships
- Agree how to maintain alignment and respect each other’s working styles
- Set clear expectations with each other
- Build a Communication Plan and approach
- Employment, Remuneration and Managing Disputes
- Ownership and reward for effort
- Risk management approach
- Governance
PHASE FOUR: DRIVE
It’s one thing to agree and document how to approach your partnership in a more productive way. It’s another to maintain the focus and improvement over the longer term with the day-to-day pressures that are ever present in business.
The Drive Phase provides you and your partners with a mentor for ongoing support as they embed the new ways of working and improved team dynamic.
The drive phase is structured in consultation to meet the ongoing needs of the partners and can consist of:
- Periodic facilitated strategy alignment workshops
- Group coaching on challenges specific to your partnership and business
- One-to-one coaching to drive business outcomes and support each partner’s continual improvement