How can you build long-term partnerships and avoid one-off deals?

When you meet with the prospect, think of them as more than a transaction. This sounds simple, but it can be overlooked. Think of them as a 20+ year partner that will be an advocate for your business. How can you help them grow? Who can you introduce them to that will help their business? Who do the know tha you want to know?

Pessoalmente, penso que t?o importante quanto definir objetivos e valores é ter uma vis?o clara do seu propósito pessoal. Parcerias construídas ao redor de um propósito tentem a ser mais duradouras.

- Clarity on roles & responsibilities from day one sets the tone for the success of the start-up venture. - Cofounders / Partners could have complimentary skills, experience, knowledge - Shared long term vision & beliefs become the bedrock on which the venture eventually scales.

Be Human about your approach, make it people centered not product or deal-focused. By doing this you connect with them at a core level and build a sustainable relationship. Add value for them, and their business, and be clear and honest with your values. Ask how you can support them, keeping the channel open to build on and follow a give-first mentality. This will take you a long way.

In my experience and understanding, shared long-term visions are key. Your early-stage vision and strategic thinking are not just valuable; they define you. They are the core of the vale of the new business. This vision should be communicated compellingly, turning potential partners into advocates. Mutual growth goals are vital. They foster trust and commitment, essential for long-lasting partnerships. In startups, clients must believe in both the journey and the destination

Research aspect should never be outsourced in my opinion, you should at least do a rough, back of the envelope calculation for your market or anything!

Conducting your own research is vital to aligning your startup with market needs and trends that will uncover synergies and opportunities for future growth.

Pour une startup il faut aller au-delà de la simple recherche de partenaires. Il s'agit également de cultiver des relations authentiques en investissant du temps dans la compréhension mutuelle des objectifs et des défis.

I would say that it is primarily your network. Your network is a goldmine for discovering clients and partners. It's not just who you know; it's about harnessing these connections to uncover valuable leads. While your immediate network is a great starting point, don't limit yourself. Platforms like LinkedIn can exponentially broaden your reach, connecting you with global prospects. The key is not to cast a wide, indiscriminate net. Instead, strategically target those who align with your vision and values

- Research and Outreach to the right industry experts is critical for validation. - I have found LinkedIn immensely helpful in reaching out to the right investor partners who have helped BluSmart scale and participated in our growth journey.

Trust often leads to a deeper emotional connection among partners, serving as a powerful glue that binds them together in the business for a longer period. It establishes an atmosphere of openness and transparency, fostering a willingness among individuals to share knowledge, voice concerns, and offer unfiltered and honest feedback. Through trust, partners can attain a high level of mutual understanding and alignment within their partnership.

Building trust is about seeking common interest and maintaining a reasonable balance, ensuring each party is content with the marriage.

La confiance est la clé d’une relation durable, et celle-ci peut prendre du temps pour se construire. être présent à des événements, communiquer sur son entreprise et montrer les partenaires qui vous font déjà confiance aident à renforcer cette confiance.

Make sure every meaningful interaction focuses on the win-win-win (you-them-mutual customer). It's important at this stage not to overcommit or deflect/defer too much of the effort. Setting your boundaries early in the process is the first step, now you need to honor them respectfully. Building a culture of accountability and transparency at this stage is critical if you are still interested in a long-term relationship. *If you uncover red flags during this stage, don't be afraid to pivot! By now you should be learning more about the strengths and weaknesses of potential partners and how those complement (or not) the resources you bring to the relationship.

A good relationship is built on mutual respect. This isn't just about what clients will do for you, but how you can collaborate to achieve common goals and exceed your common expectations. By showing empathy and understanding towards their needs, you create a foundation of mutual respect. Also, consider that patience is key. Trust-building is not a quick process. It takes time to develop and solidify these relationships.

When you're looking to partner with someone, it's important to make sure you have a clear idea of what you both want. That means sitting down and having a conversation where you agree on what each of you will do, what your responsibilities are, and what you expect from the partnership. You should write all of this down in an agreement. This is a really important step because it helps to avoid any misunderstandings and makes sure that everyone is on the same page. When you have a solid agreement, you're much more likely to have a long-lasting partnership that works well for everyone involved.

- Clarity on roles & responsibilities, and expected deliverable allows focus on key tasks. - Trust & confidence grows with performance & pursuit of common vision.

Mutual Benefits: Focus on creating a win-win scenario that benefits both sides. Once this foundation is laid, nurture the relationship through mutual respect and collaboration.

I make sure that I don’t overpromise my side of the deal so the expectations are in control or manageable. It secures the roles of each side.

La négociation doit se faire dans un esprit de collaboration et de respect mutuel. Cherchez à comprendre les besoins et les contraintes de vos partenaires pour créer des accords bénéfiques pour toutes les parties. Une fois un accord atteint, formalisez-le par des contrats clairs qui définissent les attentes, les responsabilités, et les mécanismes de suivi.

- The best of Cofounders/ Partners startups support each other in the down times and low periods. They celebrate small wins and learn from the low periods together. - Challenging mediocrity during the growth phase is essential, pushing each other and setting annual goals further allows the relationship to thrive.

Nurturing personal growth involves setting goals, seeking continuous learning, embracing challenges, and staying adaptable. Cultivate meaningful relationships, prioritize well-being, and reflect on experiences to learn and evolve.

Un partenariat ne s’arrête pas à la signature d’un accord. Il nécessite un entretien et une croissance continus. Restez en communication régulière, partagez les réussites comme les défis, et cherchez des opportunités d’évolution mutuelle. En nourrissant activement ces relations, vous batirez des partenariats forts qui soutiendront la croissance et l'expansion de votre startup.

Maintaining and growing your partners requires dedication, communication, and adaptability. It's essential to maintain regular and open communication channels with your partner. This ongoing dialogue should not only address the day-to-day operations but also involve sharing feedback and providing mutual support. Celebrating shared achievements and recognizing milestones together fosters a sense of joint accomplishment and strengthens the bond. Just as treating your employees well leads to them treating your clients well, the same principle applies to your partners: a well-nurtured partnership fosters mutual respect and success

Would you trust someone who reaches out to you irregularly, and the reason for them reaching out is always transactional - worst of all, almost always a favor for them? Exactly. Ensure you nurture and grow the relationships organically, avoiding a situation in which you only check on them only when you need something. Think of providing value for them (pay-it-forward style)!

It may sound contrary to growth initially, but I have realised that going that extra mile over and above the agreed scope without charging for the same goes a really long way. It helps in fostering trust and establishes you as a person who is not in for the short haul only. Most importantly I have realised my clients feel that I prioritise them and their business over the money I get from them.

Create a win-win deal. Sounds simple but works. This will ensure everyone is aligned and encouraged to help the other party succeed.

Talk to experts! More often than not they are widely available to you, willing to provide their help and share experiences. Experts - typically past founders. You can even try me if you want to talk.

Technology Integration: In the technology sector, effective integration of technologies is crucial for the success of a partnership. This involves careful planning, testing, communication, and expertise.

Other key factors to consider: - Align goals and create mutual value - Prioritize transparent communication - Focus on building relationships, not just transactions - Ensure long-term vision alignment - Offer continuous support and adapt to changing needs - Collaborate on joint marketing efforts - Establish clear performance metrics in contractual agreements - Conduct regular check-ins and gather feedback for ongoing improvement