Part 1: Partnership Pocketbook

So... I did something...

I created a newsletter!

It's something I have wanted to do for a long time, and it finally felt like the moment to bring it to life.

A few things galvanized me to get my act together and get something down on a page.

Firstly, what I am currently learning whilst building a partnership program from scratch at Help Scout.

Secondly, the growing validation and excitement of partnerships in general.

When I started in this field 4 years ago, people would often view partnerships just as a part of business where you would just happen to end up.

Oftentimes, people who were good at sales or in my case, customer success, were asked to “figure out partnerships”.

It was an afterthought to businesses, and usually created as a trial rather than a tactical lever for growth.

That is changing!

Now, it is blossoming into a discipline people are actively wanting to join.

Careers now begin in partnerships rather than simply falling into the role. I was chatting to a close friends, Will Taylor, the other day who made the comment: “I bet in a few years, partnerships will be taught in colleges”. I didn't disagree.

The space is EXPLODING!

Tool wise there are PRMS, Account mapping tools, partner recruitment portals, the list goes on...

From a content perspective PartnerHacker is leading the charge in providing daily content on all things partnerships from some of the very best in the business, whilst software providers like Crossbeam, Reveal and Pandium are providing guides, e-books showing you step by step how to start a partnership program from the ground up.

Partnerships as a business function is receiving the validation it is worthy of.

At Crossbeams Supernode, Sarah Wang from Andreesen Horowitz said that their “best performing portfolio companies are the companies with partner led strategies”.

WOW! What more do you need than that!

So with that as context, why is there a need for even more content in the space?

I think even in a space where content is becoming more prevalent, it is still easy to get distracted and be overwhelmed by everything you are reading.

My hope of this newsletter is to deliver a weekly dose of digestible, understandable content that can immediately be applied into your work week.

For some, I hope I share useful knowledge to help them ace that very first partnership interview and launch into a great career.

For others, I hope it gives them the secret sauce to build up their careers and get the promotion they're seeking.  

And for the more senior partnership professionals, I hope it at least entertains you…

So here we go!

Every Saturday morning, you can expect to receive a brief, to-the-point tip or insight that you can take away and apply. All feedback will be welcome, whether positive or negative.

There has never been a better time to be in partnerships. My goal is to provide you with a pocketbook of tips can contribute to your understanding of the space, and continue to grow the discipline of partnerships that I know and love.

See you next week.