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DIXON Partnering Solutions
Q7
Is it time to move on? Have we passed the ‘best before’ date?
Options to consider
Partnering initiatives, can last for months, years – sometimes
When the partnering is no longer working in its current
decades. At some point the partners will have cause to
form it’s time to look at other options. These could be:
question how much longer the partnership should continue or whether it is time to move on.
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Some partners may be continuing to meet and propping up an
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initiative that has long outgrown its use. Triggers such as the
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> Continue in the same direction (but ensuring it delivers results)
decline of a funding source or a strategic review can instigate
> Formalise a new entity from the successful initiative (to continue the work, but relieve the burden on the
a critical review of your partnering.
original organisations) •
Even very successful partnerships that have delivered
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outstanding results should be evaluated in terms of their value to all the partners in the longer term.
> Reinvent the partnership with new goals or focus (toward a new purpose)
• •
> Continue the partnership with some refreshed
Whatever the catalyst for reconsidering the partnership it is
milestones and actions (toward the original
important to recognise when to move on and take the right
purpose)
approach to doing so.
• •
A major factor in this decision will be the impact the partnering is achieving. Has it delivered on the original purpose? Does it need to change direction or be reinvented? Has there been some external change that has impacted on the ability to continue the partnering? There can be a tendency for partnering processes to drift and end up in very messy endings. By this stage the partners should have enough trust to be able to have open and honest discussions about just where their partnership is going.
> Wind up the partnership (and celebrate success or reflect on what didn’t work)
