Key Points
- Partnerships are hard → more time, cost, complexity, but payoff = bigger results than working alone.
Common pitfalls & responses:
1. Pace – collaboration takes longer.
- Set clear objectives, dedicate resources, regular accountability & check-ins.
2. Power (control-sharing) – decision-making & responsibility conflicts.
- Use clear partnership agreements early.
3. Purpose – unclear/misaligned goals.
- Define, review, and reinforce shared purpose.
4. Culture – hidden organisational differences (risk, priorities, style).
- Do due diligence; ensure cultural compatibility.
5. Costs – underestimated/hidden costs create frustration.
- Identify true costs, budget clearly, share fairly, or raise external funds.
6. Commitment – lack of trust or sustained buy-in.
- Build trust, start small, deepen gradually, prove value.
7. Staffing – partnerships are often under-resourced.
- Dedicate real capacity, assign staff properly, and ensure the right skills.
8. Schisms – tension between loyalty to parent org vs. partnership.
- Constantly review, communicate value, reinforce alignment.
9. Systems – no structure to sustain momentum.
- Build regular rhythms (meetings, reporting, progress tracking).