Move towards precision and value propositions Partnerships don't work when they're vague and rhetorical - but do when they focus on the precise value they can provide, for example when a corporate can offer skills in finance, logistics or marketing to a charity with deep knowledge of a social field. Each side in the partnership needs to understand what matters for the other - they're bound to have different interests, and different ways of thinking that reflect these interests. It helps a lot when areas of common ground, and precise value propositions, are reached quickly. If after two or three meetings this is not even dimly visible then it's probably worth trying to find another partner. - See more at: http://www.nesta.org.uk/blog/good-and-bad-partnerships#sthash.Nb4aYCiF.dpuf