PLAYERS

A. Selecting partners

1. How do you identify your partners?
2. Why is this partner a good fit?
3. How do you approach your potential partner? How do you make the appointment with the right person? Who is the right person?

B. Preparing for your first meeting

1. Where do you meet?
2. What do you need to know about your potential partner and his or her organization? What does your partner need to know about you and your organization?
   

PARTNERSHIPS

A. Initial meeting

1. What is the right partnership activity for you and your partner?
2. What documents about your organization might be helpful to bring to the first meeting?
3. What do you have to offer?
4. What is the mutual benefit?
5. What is your vision?
6. Does your potential partner share this vision?
7. What is the potential initiative/activity, and who else needs to be involved in both organizations?
8. Who is the top leadership in the organization? Are you talking to them?
9. What is the business case for the partnership?
10. What are the next steps? Do you have a timeline established at the end of the first meeting?
11. Be sure to send a thank-you note with next steps delineated.

B. Subsequent meetings

1. Do you have clarity on goals and vision?
2. What resources are needed?
3. What are the details and timeline of the initiative?
4. Whom can we call for expert consultation if need be?
5. Will there be an official MOU?
6. What are the expected outcomes of the activity?
   

ENVIRONMENT

A. Time

1. Is this the right time for this partnership?
2. What are the issues that will facilitate or impede the development of the partnership?
3. What is the time commitment for the partners?
4. Whose time will be required?
5. When will the meetings be scheduled? Are they on a regular basis and frequent?

B. Space

1. What space is required for the activity?
2. What equipment or supplies are needed?
3. What funding is needed?
4. Where are we meeting?
5. Where will we present outcomes?

C. Regulation

D. Context

1. How will the partnership be funded?
2. What are the constraints of both partners?
3. What history do the partners have with each other and each others’ institutions?