Positive Traits in a Prospective Partner
It has a good track record in previous partnership arrangements (if any).
It shares a number of the objectives that your business or community group sees as important.
It has a number of values or philosophies in common with your business or group.
Its activities lend themselves to a good fit with some of your own.
It has the resources to follow through on a proposed partnership with your group or business.
It can carry the responsibilities placed on its side of the partnership.
It appears willing to share not only the responsibilities of a partnership, but the rewards as well.
Your group or business has a genuine respect for what your prospective partner has done or achieved.
Your group or business feels that it can talk to your prospective partner as an equal and with respect - and vice versa.
You believe that it wants what you know you can offer the partnership, and you know you want what you believe it can give you.
It appears as committed as you to using the partnership to bring about benefits to the community.
Negative Traits in a Prospective Partner
It has no (or very few) values and philosophies in common with your group or business.
It has no (or very few) objectives in common with your group or business.
Its activities do not lend themselves to a good fit with your own.
It has a bad track record in previous partnership arrangements, or an apparent lack of desire to be in a partnership.
It will struggle to carry its share of partnership responsibilities, or may not be willing to share fairly either the responsibilities or the benefits of a partnership.
It has had a previous conflict with your group or business. While this does not immediately put an end to a possible partnership, both parties need to feel the issue has been properly resolved before going any further.
Your group or business does not feel it can talk or work with your prospective partner respectfully, honestly or as an equal.
It does not want what you can offer, or you do not want what it can give you.
It does not appear to be committed to a partnership that would help the community.