When partnerships lead to acquisition
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BE IN MOTION
Welcome to Partnership Wednesday #86 featuring a lesson, a thought, an answer, and a prompt to sharpen your partnership skills and help you confidently close 6-figure deals.
By the way, if I’ve missed something, or you think this edition could be made stronger, let me know!
A LESSON
Blue River Technology, a computer vision startup, developed “see-and-spray” weed-killing robots. Agriculture giant, John Deere, first partnered and later acquired Blue River. The result was the incorporation Blue River’s AI-driven robotics into John Deere farm machines to identify individual weeds and treat them selectively, drastically reducing herbicide use.
Key Lesson: Not every partnership is just a partnership. Sometimes, partnerships are the first step toward something much bigger. Treat your partnerships as if you knew they could lead to a merger or acquisition opportunity.
A THOUGHT
Only one thing matters as the ink dries on a new partnership deal. It’s the first win. The proof of the first win validates the partnership, builds momentum and unlocks new opportunities.
AN ANSWER
How do I know if I can trust a new potential partner? I was asked this question from the crowd this week. Here’s my answer:
Here are the signals what people often look at:
• Their brand reputation (which can be just good PR)
• Their financials (which don’t tell you how they operate)
• Their promises (which mean nothing without action)
But they don’t tell a complete story. Here’s what actually signals trust:
1. How they handle small commitments
If they miss the little things, they’ll miss the big ones.
2. How they act when no one is watching
Do they do the right thing when it’s inconvenient?
3. How they talk about past partners
If every deal ended in disaster, they are the common factor.
4. How they respond to uncertainty
Do they communicate openly or hide when things get tough?
5. Who vouches for them
Not just what references say, but who’s willing to stake their reputation on them.
A trustworthy partner isn’t the one that looks best on paper.
It’s the one that proves reliability before the deal is signed.
THE PROMPT
What is blocking you from closing business partnerships?
PARTNERSHIP PLAYBOOK MOMENT
You can listen or watch full episodes of the Partnership Playbook on your next commute or workout. Here’s a short moment that will give you a shot of partnership goodness. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube!
Tap the tile to listen!
KNOW PEOPLE WHO NEED THIS?
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https://philhsc.com/partnership/19-march-2025
Until next Wednesday,
Phil Hayes-St Clair - Partnership Expert & Coach
When you're ready, there are three ways I can help you:
1. Partnership Essentials: A self-paced, practical online course for entrepreneurs and small business owners. In just 30 days, you'll build a partnership operating system that turns conversations into contracts.
2. Partnership Lab: Coaching tailored for marketing or sales leaders ready to drive rapid growth. My promise: I'll help you close 3 game-changing partnerships in 90 days.
3. Performance Partnerships: A coaching program designed for organisations aiming for sustainable, meaningful growth. The goal: Achieve double-digit growth through strategic partnerships in 12 months—without overwhelming your team.
Looking for something different? Send me an email.
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