READ ON PHILHSC.COM | READ TIME: 5 MINUTES | 4 JUNE, 2025

Welcome to Partnership Wednesday #97 featuring ideas you can use to create partnerships faster, with less guesswork, and confidently close 6-figure deals.

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A LESSON TO BUILD ON

Drone delivery is now part of Walmart, Walgreens, and DHL’s operations. From Walmart’s 1-hour Zipline drops in rural towns, to Walgreens and Alphabet’s 100K+ urban deliveries, to DHL’s smart drone corridors with EHang in China. Each company side-stepped the building of drone technology and instead, partnered fast, deployed locally, and earned speed as a competitive advantage.

Leadership Lesson: Those who partner with emerging capability instead of trying to own it outright win on relevance, reach, and responsiveness, without reinventing the wheel.

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AN ANSWER TO HELP YOU MOVE FASTER

How do I design a partnership pilot that reduces the risk of it being a complete waste of time? I was asked this question from the crowd this week. Here’s my answer:
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First things, first. Language matters.

Use the phrase “Pilot to prove potential”. This frames the work as a test, not a promise, and makes it easier to say ‘Yes’

Second, follow this 7-step guide to design robust and outcome-focused pilots.

1. Clarify the Shared Problem
​Ask: “What urgent challenge do we both care about solving?”

• Define the pain point in one sentence
• Confirm this matters to both parties, commercially and/or reputationally
• Bonus: Quantify the cost of not solving it

Outcome: A single-line problem statement you both agree on

2. Agree on the Fastest First Win
​Ask: “What outcome would make us both say: this was worth doing?”

• Choose one tangible, high-impact result you can aim for in 30–90 days
• Make it specific, observable, and valuable
• Think retention, engagement, new revenue, or insight

Outcome: A shared goal that feels like meaningful progress

3. Design the Pilot Parameters
​Ask: “How can we make this fast, focused, and frictionless?”

• Start Date: When will it begin?
• Duration: Typically 30–90 days.
• Budget: Free, co-funded, or low-cost investment?
• People: Who owns delivery, review, and sign-off?
• Resources: What will each partner contribute?

Outcome: A lightweight project plan that’s easy to approve.

4. Choose the Investment Model
​Ask: “How do we fund this in a way that shows commitment without creating barriers?”

Pilots work best when both parties contribute meaningfully, but that doesn’t always mean money. This step helps you pick the right level of investment based on intent, urgency, and future potential.

​Download the free full guide here.​

Outcome: A transparent investment agreement that reflects commitment without stalling momentum.

5. Set Success Metrics
​Ask: “What does good look like, and how will we measure it?”

• 1–2 primary metrics tied to the partner’s key priorities
• Optional: A soft success indicator (e.g. customer feedback, team ease)
• Define how and when metrics will be reviewed

Outcome: Aligned expectations on what success means.

6. Plan the Decision Gate
​Ask: “If this works, what’s the next move?”

• Agree on the go/no-go criteria in advance
• Clarify who decides, how, and when
• Bonus: Sketch out a version of the full partnership if it succeeds

Outcome: A clear next step that turns the pilot into momentum.

7. Draft the 'Pilot One-Pager'
​Wrap it all up in one page:

1. Problem Statement
2. First Win Goal
3. Timeline & Roles
4. Success Metrics
5. Decision Criteria
6. Partner Commitments

Use this as your internal alignment doc and as an artefact to show others what you're doing and why.

Did this help? If YES, leave a testimonial, it’s the best way you can help my work.

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THIS WEEK'S MOMENT (Insight for your commute)

Ever wondered how to prove a partnership’s value, fast? What if you could do it in just 90 days?

In this 7-minute episode:

• Identify and align on a shared, high-priority problem that actually matters to both sides
• Co-create a first win that builds belief and momentum in under 90 days.
• Set simple, effective metrics and decision gates that keep everyone focused and accountable.

Get every episode of the Partnership Playbook on your next commute or workout. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube!

KNOW PEOPLE WHO FEEL STUCK?

Share this issue via text, social media, or email by copying and pasting this link:

​https://philhsc.com/partnership/4-june-2025​

See you next Wednesday,

Phil Hayes-St Clair, Business Partnerships Expert & Coach

​Find me on LinkedIn or Book a 1:1 Call​

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