Here's how you can effectively integrate new technology into partnership strategies.

Move off the solution, start with the problem. Adding any component to your tech stack is never a goal in itself. As you scale your partner program, processes become essential. Automating, eliminating friction are key in building better experiences and relationships. What is the problem? Why the problem is a problem? How is it done today? What happens if you do nothing? After answering these questions, you’d surprised to see how many of these new XYZ app initiatives are serving….the XYZ app. As for the partners/users? No one will care and never really use it. A good example is “partner portals” for SaaS companies under $100M: majority of partners will never log back in. Instead, they will email, slack, call or SMS to their POC.

Discuss with your partner what the goal is and what is needed. By analyzing your partnership's current operations, you can pinpoint areas for improvement and identify technologies that address those gaps. Consider both immediate benefits and long-term strategic advantages to ensure the chosen technology delivers tangible value to the partnership.

To bring new technology into your partnership plans, start by understanding what your partners need and finding tech that fits those needs. Then, help partners learn and use the new tools well. Keep talking with partners to hear how things are going and make changes as necessary. And always keep an eye on how the tech is affecting your partnerships so you can keep improving.

It's important to have a clear understanding of your goals and the resources you're willing to invest in order to achieve them. There are various solutions available in the market with different costs and implementation requirements that affect your time-to-value. It's crucial to have a clear timeline for when you expect to start seeing benefits from your technology investments.

Strong partnerships rely on shared goals. Here's how to set effective objectives: Open Communication: Discuss each other's aspirations and desired outcomes. Align Objectives: Find common ground - objectives that benefit both parties. SMART Goals: Make objectives Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Transparency: Be open and honest about what success looks like. By following these steps, you'll establish a clear roadmap for a successful partnership.

In my experience, partner technology can be integrated with existing business systems to varying degrees. Depending on sales operations support, a lighter integration may be preferred.

In my experience, partnering with tech companies is very crucial in my line of business. I choose specific partners to collab with that are "hot" for the industry market and having a need to grow locally as it must eventually be a win-win for both.

Map out a detailed integration plan establishing timelines, resource allocation, roles, and responsibilities. A structured communication strategy ensures that all stakeholders stay informed throughout the process. Don't overlook the importance of training; providing comprehensive training materials and sessions ensures a smooth transition for everyone involved. Adopting a phased approach allows for flexibility and enables timely adjustments based on feedback and evolving requirements. As the new tech becomes ingrained in your partnership strategy, make sure to have regular progress check-ins to help gauge whether the tech is delivering on set objectives or if course corrections are necessary. Solicit feedback from all partners.

Adapting continuously implies a closed loop. One of my favorite simple frameworks here is the build-measure-learn feedback loop borrowed from The Lean Startup. This is a great tool to validate your hypothesis against pre-determined, measurable outcomes that you’d like to achieve and there’s something so satisfying about that upwards trajectory!