LET'S CLIMB
Power in
Partnerships
By Jennifer Yon
H
ow do you know if a partnership is
beneficial or not? When should you
consider partnering with someone?
What are some tips in securing a good
partnership? If you have asked yourself
any of these questions, keep reading…
A successful partnership is one that all par-
ties involved are benefiting in some way.
Some partnerships provide revenue while
others provide exposure, knowledge or
investment capital.
SIGNS OF A GOOD PARTNERSHIP
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They do what they say they will do.
They make themselves available to
discuss or work on the project.
They bring ideas to the table that
will bring growth.
The goals are like yours.
You see and feel the growth.
Being an expert in their field.
Strong mental ability.
Ability to work well with others.
SIGNS OF A BAD PARTNERSHIP
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You feel tense each time that
person contacts you.
You have anxieties about working
on the project.
You don’t feel good or speak from
the heart when you share infor-
mation about the project.
You can’t communicate well with
the partner.
Imbalance in task and duties.
They offer problems but no
solutions.
Conflicts are left unresolved.
Have you ever tried to bake a cake to no-
tice you are missing a key ingredient that
you don’t have access to—what do you do?
WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS
YOU MAY NEED A PARTNER?
1. You are feeling lost and not sure
which direction to move forward in.
l-r: Linda Higgins, Anjali Sivakumaran, Lauren Murphy and Jennifer Yon
2.
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You feel overwhelmed with your
day-to-day duties and not accom-
plishing your set goals.
You need more… more products,
more space to run your business or
more money to invest.
You have been in the same spot
with little or no advancement.
SIGNS YOUR PARTNERSHIP
IS DOOMED
1. They are hiding the truth.
2. Expertise is not balanced.
3. They have ulterior motives.
4. The lack motivation.
5. They are not a team player.
6. They are stuck in their ways.
7. They don’t know their place.
8. They treat others bad.
9. They talk negatively about people.
10. You don’t like them as a friend.
SIGNS OF A GREAT BUSINESS
PARTNER
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They can do what you can’t.
They are easy to talk to.
They offer suggestions and ideas
for growth.
They make your project a priority.
They believe in the overall mission.
The basic logistics aligns.
They agree with the business
structure.
They are skeptical and ask lots of
questions.
Once you have identified you need to
partner with someone ask yourself these
questions: What do I bring to the table;
what do I have that can add to someone
else? What area could benefit from more
knowledge, investment or labor assis-
tance in my business?
TIPS IN CREATING A GREAT
PARTNERSHIP
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Be honest of your capabilities and
what you have to offer.
Put everything in writing.
Assign roles, titles and duties.
Have a clear understanding, verbal
and in writing, who will do what and
the importance of those functions.
Do your part;do what you say you
are going to do.
Openly discuss your challenges and
ideas; communicate effectively.
Seek solutions and never point the
finger.
Self-reflect on a regular basis by
asking yourself, "What can I do better
today, then I did yesterday?"
All partners are willing and submit
background checks.
On your journey for growth never forget
you can grow faster when you lend a hand
to others—but you can’t help others until
you’ve help yourself.
Let’s Climb Together! n