A Sherpa is a guide and a trusted adviser. ProPartnering's Sherpa Services leverage the unique insight and contacts one gets through years of successfully partnering with specific large companies, and make them available to smaller companies just starting on a new relationship. We share what only a partner understands about the real power structures and complex decision-making processes of these large companies. We know who to meet with, and who to avoid. We can set up meetings. More importantly, we can coach clients on the specifics of influencing these key people.
Results: Our Sherpa Services deliver effectiveness and efficiency. Clients avoid the disappointments of finding they had needlessly spent months working with the wrong organizations. They get to market faster by being able to target the real decision-makers and influencers. They get meetings set up sooner, and they are confident that they will make the most of the meeting following our personal coaching (reflecting our personal familiarity with the attendees). They also get a direct view into how the partner reacted to each part of their message, as these partners provide us with a seat at their debriefing table.
Inputs: Clients need to bring a well-developed partnering plan. The should include a well-defined target market, the intended joint solution, the set of roles the client is looking for the partner to play, the roles the client is willing or intends to play, and the support the client will provide to the partner. We can only help guide a client who knows precisely where they want to take the partnership.
Process: ProPartnering meets with the client to obtain background in the relationship. We review the client's partnership needs and progress to date with the partner. We then identify key individuals or groups that should be, but have not been, engaged by the client. We also provide honest assessments of the results that should be expected from engaging with specific individuals or groups.
We provide background insight into key individuals' personal styles and provide coaching on how to be most effective with them. We can help develop material to present to these individuals. We can help set up meetings with these individuals, if desired.
ProPartnering can also obtain open and honest feedback from the partner. The partner is typically willing to provide clear impressions of how our client is perceived, what their strengths are and what their weaknesses are. We can obtain feedback after key meetings on how the meeting was perceived by the partner. We can also serve as an "out of band" communications channel to communicate delicate feedback to the partner.
Outputs: The specific output varies by client, and by their circumstances. Typical outputs include:
Duration: Varies from three-month projects to ongoing retainer-based support
Results: Our Sherpa Services deliver effectiveness and efficiency. Clients avoid the disappointments of finding they had needlessly spent months working with the wrong organizations. They get to market faster by being able to target the real decision-makers and influencers. They get meetings set up sooner, and they are confident that they will make the most of the meeting following our personal coaching (reflecting our personal familiarity with the attendees). They also get a direct view into how the partner reacted to each part of their message, as these partners provide us with a seat at their debriefing table.
Inputs: Clients need to bring a well-developed partnering plan. The should include a well-defined target market, the intended joint solution, the set of roles the client is looking for the partner to play, the roles the client is willing or intends to play, and the support the client will provide to the partner. We can only help guide a client who knows precisely where they want to take the partnership.
Process: ProPartnering meets with the client to obtain background in the relationship. We review the client's partnership needs and progress to date with the partner. We then identify key individuals or groups that should be, but have not been, engaged by the client. We also provide honest assessments of the results that should be expected from engaging with specific individuals or groups.
We provide background insight into key individuals' personal styles and provide coaching on how to be most effective with them. We can help develop material to present to these individuals. We can help set up meetings with these individuals, if desired.
ProPartnering can also obtain open and honest feedback from the partner. The partner is typically willing to provide clear impressions of how our client is perceived, what their strengths are and what their weaknesses are. We can obtain feedback after key meetings on how the meeting was perceived by the partner. We can also serve as an "out of band" communications channel to communicate delicate feedback to the partner.
Outputs: The specific output varies by client, and by their circumstances. Typical outputs include:
- Partnership risk assessment
- Key partner profiles
- Effectiveness coaching
- Meeting scheduling
- Partner feedback
Duration: Varies from three-month projects to ongoing retainer-based support