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Partnerships are definitely a key part of changing the dream, and they just as definitely take work to be successful.
Recently, we heard from a pair of Facilitators about their experience with partnerships and thought their story and lessons learned would be of value for the entire Facilitator community.
Jane and Neil’s Story
Jane and Neil, a dynamic wife and husband Facilitator duo, live in the Eastern Region of Melbourne, Australia, and have been working with their local Community Centre delivering Symposiums for the past 18 months. Events at the centre were productive and affordable.
At the end of last year, there was a change in management at the centre and they weren’t sure how receptive the new manager would be to continuing to host events.
Jane proactively reached out to the new manager, Heidi, and gave her an Awakening the Dreamer DVD to watch. Jane says:
“I didn't feel at all that I had to 'sell it.' Rather, I saw my role as simply sharing my own experience of the gift of the Symposium and offering an opportunity for partnership, which has been enthusiastically taken up.”
Heidi came back to them after watching it very excited about the alignment of the Symposium and her own vision for the Community Centre. This has marked the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship for both parties, with the Centre charging a discounted rental rate and offering low cost lunch options from their café on site.
The Melbourne group are delighted to continue running affordable Symposiums, and the manager is thrilled with the cross benefit for the Community Centre and their expanded offering to the local community - a great example of a productive partnership!
Tips for Establishing New Partnerships
- Take the risk and reach out to new people and organizations.
- Don’t be discouraged when you hear no: “If you don’t often hear no, then you’re not asking for enough!”
- Look for the perfect fit in a partner where you’ll both benefit.
- Highlight the benefits of your partnership such as cross promotion, access to more resources, or if you’re approaching corporate companies, helping them fulfill their corporate social responsibility agenda etc.
