Common sense, if someone trusts you, they can work with you. Imagine building a house on sand, it doesn't work for long. Build on concrete and steel (communication, honesty and humility).

There are three key points i got from the director of pijar Foundation about partnership and collaboration 1) Emphaty. Empathy in observing the conditions, obligations, and responsibilities of each sector collaborating with us facilitates avoiding judgmental attitudes and enables understanding each sector from various perspectives. 2) Create solutions rather than just criticize. In collaboration, increase brainstorming and research to generate solutions instead of only criticizing, as anyone can criticize but not everyone can offer solutions. 3) Ttransforming ideas into action. Don't let collaboration be merely a slogan to catch up or follow trends, but make it a concrete step in transforming ideas into real actions together."

When explaining your strategic decisions in partnerships, keep it simple and clear. Start by describing the big picture—the overall goal you're aiming for and why you plan to achieve it. Next, break down your decision-making process. Explain the reasons behind your choices using real-life examples or analogies that people can relate to. Use visual aids like presentation, infographics, charts or diagrams to illustrate your points visually. This make complex ideas much easier to grasp. Finally, be open to questions and feedback. Encourage others to share their thoughts and concerns, and address them with patience and understanding. Ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals in your partnerships.

Building trust is essential in any partnership, as it is the basis for effective communication and collaboration. Building trust doesn't happen overnight; it requires careful listening and thoughtful actions that demonstrate a commitment to the partnership. Avoiding a focus on immediate results and allowing things to develop naturally creates an environment that is conducive to mutual growth. This means sharing information openly, recognising and respecting each other's needs and concerns, and working together transparently to achieve common goals. Once trust is established, it facilitates the sharing of strategic decisions because each party believes in the reliability and integrity of the other.

Clear objectives are critical to any successful partnership, and it is an issue that arises in sports brand partnerships. For instance, I worked with a fitness apparel company partnering with a renowned MMA gym. Their shared goal was to increase brand visibility and gym memberships. Why they were successful: they set a clear objective for launching a co-branded workout series streamed online, and both parties understand their roles— the apparel brand provides gear and marketing support. At the same time, the gym offers expert trainers and facilities. This clear alignment drives the partnership forward and provides measurable outcomes, like engagement and conversion rates. It ensured both sides were moving towards a common victory.

The importance of transparency and clear communication in setting common goals cannot be underestimated. It creates a solid foundation for collaboration and enables each partner to understand their role and contribution to the shared vision. This approach not only ensures strategic alignment, but also fosters a sense of ownership and shared responsibility that is essential for the long-term success of the partnership.

One thing that I have found helpful is explicitly stating the intended outcomes of any strategic decision. For example, when EasyWeGo aimed to expand our taxi booking service to India, we clearly articulated how this move would increase our service availability by 35% and improve user satisfaction. By aligning this goal with our partners’ growth targets, it facilitated a smoother negotiation process, as they could see the direct benefits to their operations as well. Clear objectives not only guide your strategies but also inspire collective effort towards achieving them.

A single shared document will work wonders. All too often. Each department will come up with their own version of objectives, strategies, tactics. Something as simple as a shared Google Doc in a prominent location (And supported by management) will minimize confusion and highlight discrepancies

An inclusive approach to strategic communications strengthens the sense of ownership and commitment of all stakeholders. By valuing feedback and actively incorporating diverse perspectives into decision-making, we not only demonstrate respect for our partners, but also increase the chances of success of the strategies adopted. It demonstrates an organisational maturity where the emphasis is on collective effectiveness rather than unilateral directives.

One time at work, during a quarterly review with a workspace provider in Vietnam, we addressed potential challenges with regional service integrations. By encouraging an open dialogue, our partners expressed concerns about integration costs and resource allocation. This conversation allowed us to adjust our approach by offering technical support and a phased implementation plan, which alleviated their concerns. An open dialogue isn't just about talking; it's about listening and adapting to ensure mutual benefits and address any concerns proactively.

Remember the important distinction between collaboration and corroboration. In the second one there are deeper disclosures that lead to better understanding and commitments.

Clearly, presenting strategic decisions with supporting evidence is essential to convince and gain the support of partners. This not only demonstrates a thorough understanding of the situation, but also underlines the seriousness of the approach and the strategic thinking that has gone into it. Data and past experience provide a solid basis for justifying strategic choices, making it easier to gain buy-in and implement decisions.

Opinions are one thing: evidence another. We always put more store by data: hard facts backed up by real world examples. That’s why presenting evidence matters so much when it comes to building trust in strategic partnerships. Essentially, we have to behave like an attorney preparing a case for trial, and uncover the evidence that relates to our arguments!

When proposing the integration of our platform with a major Cambodian ride-hailing service, we supported our strategy with extensive market analysis and success stories from similar past integrations. Presenting this evidence helped our partners visualize the potential increase in customer base and revenue. It turned skepticism into enthusiasm by demonstrating clear, tangible benefits. Evidence not only validates your strategy but also equips partners with the justification they might need to advocate for the partnership internally.

Don't just tell your partners about a strategic decision – show them why it's the best course of action. Strengthen your case by providing data-driven support. Share relevant market research, industry trends, or past performance data that backs up your decisions. Consider showcasing successful examples of similar strategies implemented by other companies or within your industry. Real-world case studies can be highly persuasive in gaining buy-in. If applicable, go beyond qualitative data and provide data models or simulations that demonstrate the potential outcomes of the chosen strategy. This quantitative evidence adds another layer of credibility and helps partners visualize the potential impact of the decision.

Different people are inspired by different inputs. This diversity of thought leads to creative problem solving and even marketing messages that resonate with an audience in a deeper way. Set a time in your strategy process to include POVs from across your company and across your Marketplace... You should look forward to being surprised.

Consistent communication is essential for keeping partners informed and aligned with strategic initiatives. Establish a regular cadence for updates, such as weekly meetings, progress reports, or online dashboards. This transparency ensures everyone is on the same page and fosters a sense of accountability. Don't just focus on challenges – celebrate achieved milestones together. Highlighting successes reinforces the partnership's progress and motivates everyone to continue working towards shared goals. Be open to adjustments based on real-time data and partner feedback. Agility allows the partnership to adapt to changing circumstances and maintain its effectiveness.

Maintaining regular updates was crucial when we launched our shared workspace feature. By setting up bi-weekly calls with our partners, we were able to provide progress reports and get immediate feedback on any issues. This practice helped us stay on track and quickly resolve minor issues before they became significant problems. Regular updates foster a sense of involvement and investment in the project, ensuring that everyone remains aligned with the strategic vision and aware of any shifts or milestones.

Keeping your partners updated regularly is key to a smooth partnership. It helps avoid confusion, keeps everyone on the same page, and lets you celebrate wins together. Plus, it's a chance to tweak plans based on real-time feedback, keeping things moving in the right direction. Consistent communication is the secret sauce to keeping the partnership thriving!

An effective feedback loop is essential to ensure that each partner feels listened to, respected and valued. By focusing on open communication, transparency and information sharing, we create an environment where constructive criticism is not only accepted, but encouraged. This not only helps to identify areas for improvement, but also to celebrate shared successes. By actively responding to feedback, engaging in meaningful discussions and adjusting our strategies accordingly, we demonstrate our commitment to moving forward together. This process of sharing and continuous adaptation strengthens mutual trust and deepens our collaboration, making our partnerships dynamic and evolving relationships where everyone has a place and a voice.

Establishing a structured feedback loop was instrumental when we noticed a decline in user engagement with our eSIM feature. We solicited feedback from both partners and customers to understand the issues. This process revealed a need for a more user-friendly interface and additional customer support. Implementing these changes not only improved our service but also showed our partners that we value and act on their input, strengthening our relationship and enhancing the product.

It's crucial for everyone to feel comfortable sharing their thoughts on our strategic decisions. We'll create a structured process for constructive criticism, demonstrating our commitment to continuous improvement and respect for each other's expertise. By actively gathering and addressing feedback, we refine our strategies and strengthen our partnership, emphasizing the value we place on every voice.

It's important not to make assumptions when it comes to your partner's intentions. Instead, collaborate with your partners to fully understand their objectives for working with you and keep those objectives in mind when making decisions about how to interact with them. It's all too common for companies to assume that their partners have the same goals as other partners or that their goals align with the company's own objectives. However, it's crucial to be aware that this isn't always the case and both parties may have different goals.

Reflecting on various partnership engagements, one standout strategy has been to host annual partnership forums. These events provide a platform for networking, sharing best practices, and discussing industry trends. For instance, our last forum facilitated a session on technological advancements in travel services, which sparked new ideas for collaborative projects and helped reinforce our community of partners. These forums not only deepen existing relationships but also often lead to innovative solutions and ventures.

Resource Allocation and Success Measurement: Clearly define how resources (financial, personnel, technology) will be allocated to support the strategic initiatives. Transparency builds trust and ensures partners understand their roles and contributions. Establish clear metrics to track progress toward the defined objectives. Regularly measuring success allows for adjustments and keeps partners motivated.