How to pitch your next partner
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PHYLLOME
Welcome to Partnership Wednesday #88 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
In 1997, five airlines chose collaboration over consolidation and launched Star Alliance, the world’s first global airline partnership. Rather than merge, they integrated systems, lounges, and routes to offer seamless travel across 195 countries. Today, 25 airlines operate under its banner, showing that partnerships can scale faster than mergers and outlast industry shifts. Customer convenience, brand unification, and global expansion, without a single takeover.
Key Lesson: When limits block growth, partnership can unlock it.
A THOUGHT
The most underrated one-liner, that’s the missing ingredient in most teams, that’s free and which anyone can deliver is: 'You're doing a great job'
It's most potent when delivered unexpectedly. Because encouragement builds belief, fuels momentum and unlocks potential. This is as true in life as it is in partnerships.
AN ANSWER
How should I think about pitching a new partner? I was asked this question from the crowd this week. Here’s my answer:
Pitching a new partner?
Most partnership outreach falls flat because it’s vague, one-sided, or asks too much too soon.
Here’s a 3-part formula that works and is ideal for LinkedIn connection requests.
1. Make an offer (with a number)
⤷“Our sustainable packaging solutions can reduce your material costs by 15% and enhance your brand’s eco credentials.”
2. Share the basis for partnership
⤷“Your strong market presence would help us expand into new industry segments—there’s clear alignment.”
3. Give them a way forward (or a way out)
⤷“Are you open to exploring this further?.And if it’s not a fit, no problem.”
It’s clear.
It’s low-pressure.
And it respects their time.
Remember, great partnerships don’t start with big asks. They start with smart offers.
THE PROMPT
Are you measuring the metrics that show how partnerships actually accelerate growth?
…like sales cycle acceleration and win rate increase. If not, take a look here
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?
Want to share this issue of Partnership via text, social media or email? Just copy and paste this link:
https://philhsc.com/partnership/2-april-2025
Until next Wednesday,
Phil Hayes-St Clair - Partnership Expert & Coach
When you're ready, there are three ways I can help you:
1. The Partnership Lab (Applications for the April cohort close 28 March): The Partnership Lab is an AI-fuelled system for sales and marketing leaders who need to close 6-figure partnerships—fast.
2. The Partnership Decision Sprint: 30-minute sessions built for leaders facing high-stakes partnership decisions. Invite up to three people from your team and walk away with clear, actionable next steps.
3. Leadership Events: From Cochlear and Lifeblood to military leaders, I have shared inspiring stories and practical frameworks and insights that shift how leaders leverage partnerships for growth. Book me to speak at your next conference, offsite, or leadership event.
Looking for something different? Send me an email.
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