1. The KaBOOM! Corporate Partner Philosophy1

2. Blue Chip Partners in Play

3. Dream Big, Pilot First,
Grow Later
Start small, pilot first
Let partners understand the cause

4. Partner DNA Matters
Don’t just go for the big partners
Look for partners that “fit”

5. Getting in the Door
Research, research, research
Read everything a potential partner reads
Plan and have multiple scenarios ready

6. The Paperless Meeting
Don’t pitch right off the bat
Ask lots of questions
Follow up and follow through

7. Build A Web of Support
Seek multiple contacts
Leverage and praise champions
CEO is not The Holy Grail

8. Fewer, Bigger, Longer:
Partners and Partnerships
Work on transformation, not transaction
Retention matters

9. Price It Right
Execute on budget
Don’t rob Peter to pay Paul

10. Manage the Relationship Well
Match skills & competency toe-to-toe, first
Leverage yourself, second
Face-time, not Facebook

11. Think “Co-owners”,
not “Funders”
Build relationships
Share goals, responsibility, accountability and credit

12. Involve the Entire
Organization
Work to meet objectives of Marketing, PR, HR, merchandizing, government affairs, etc.

13. Let Partners Advance
Your Cause
Create experiences that let employees fall in love with the cause

14. Integrate Your Operations
Get to know culture, priorities and people

15. Surprise and Delight
Show genuine gratitude
Be creative, make a lasting impression