Joan Roberts Consulting

Often new partnership processes begin without a process or a plan but with the hope that the chemistry will be right that will lead to successful result. In the private sector, research shows that 70% of alliances either fail outright, fall captive to shifting priorities, or achieve only their initial goals. A majority of alliances, 55%, fall apart within three years after they are formed.

Increase your chances for organizational success by learning about the unique nature of collaborative processes and then identify and work through in a workshop format many of the early decisions to enhance your chances of a successful partnership.

2 day workshop/retreat

Day One

Introductory workshop on how to build and sustain successful alliance and partnerships

• Introduction/warm up exercise
• 7 misconceptions of alliances, coalitions and partnerships
• Benefits and Challenges
• The Development Framework
• Power Dynamics
• Lateral leadership
• Boundaries
• Includes customised handouts and case study

Day Two

Second day is devoted to exploring and developing the development framework for your group's unique characteristics and issues. Facilitated sessions can explore and develop:

• Inclusion though exercises and energizers
• The problem set
• Setting boundaries around the problem, group membership
• Participant interest-organizational and self
• Membership selection process
• Stakeholder mapping
• A process plan
• A decision making process
• Preliminary communications and collaborative work strategy
• A working mission statement
• Terms of Reference
• Decision making policy
• Accountability feedback systems
• Communication systems

Includes 5 copies of the book Alliances, Coalitions and Partnerships, Building Collaborative Organizations (additional books available upon request) and the content for an Organizational Memory Book-details all the work and decisions made from the workshop- including a digital picture of workshop participants and initial convenors.