Partnership building best practices
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Partnership building best practices
Community engagement can lead to meaningful outcomes for our partners and an excellent real-world experience for our students and future graduates. As a representative of UWL who is developing a relationship with a community member, consider these best practices to help provide a positive experience.
The Art of Small Talk
Getting the conversation started!
- Shake hands
- Make eye contact
- Introduce yourself. Create a 30 second elevator speech:
- “Hello. My name is John Johnson. I am an instructor in the ABC Department at UWL. I look forward to hearing your ideas about a potential community-campus partnership.”
- Greet people with enthusiasm
- Be the first person to extend a hand if you don’t know someone
- When you do not remember someone’s name: “Don’t finesse, just confess”
- View a room of strangers as a room of stories that you want to learn
- Use comfortable or non-threatening topics to begin conversations
- Ask questions and listen – be genuine and approachable
- “Tell me about your role at ABC company.”
- “What led you to this position?”
- “What is your favorite part about working/volunteering here?”
- “What is the mission/purpose/goal of your organization?”
- Allow them to talk – don’t monopolize the conversation
- Aim for a conversation that goes beyond the surface – become engaged
- Compliment sincerely
- Etiquette – Being conscientious of others’ needs and making them comfortable
- Recognize when to end the conversation
- “It was so nice to meet you.”
- “I will let you connect with others.”
- “I hope to connect/follow up with you soon.”
- “I appreciate your time today. Thank you.”
- “I’d be happy to connect again at another time. Do you have a business card?”
- “Here is my business card if you’d like to connect again.”
Professional Communication
Effectively communicating your goals, expectations, and questions!
- Smile and be positive to set the tone of the interaction
- Well-spoken and confident
- Communicating genuineness and sincerity
- Good grammar – both in speaking and writing
- Appropriate capitalization and punctuation in written and email correspondence
- Proofread twice (once for grammar/spelling, once for flow)
Communicate Effectively with Technology
Use technology politely to bring people together!
- Use technology to collaborate, not disengage
- Recognize that email and social media is not private
- State the purpose of an email and whether an attachment is included early in email
- When an email becomes too long, talk face to face
- Never respond to an email out of anger – give yourself time to think diplomatically
Dressing the Part
Being appropriately dressed makes a powerful impression!
- Ask the organization for their dress code (always avoid inappropriate graphics/language on clothing)
- If you must ask if it is appropriate to wear, it most likely is not
Punctuality
Ready to roll!
- Be on time
- Build a reputation that people can count on you, they know you will be there when needed, and you will complete the project given
- Arrive ready to work – not to eat your breakfast/lunch/dinner or scroll through social media/texts/emails
- Display an attitude that you are ready to interact and engage
Exceeding the Minimum
Being the best version of you!
- What more can you do to grow your knowledge and help the community partner?
- Increase your knowledge of the organization and community – read the newspaper and watch the news
- Own your mistakes and learn from them
- Avoid checking your phone
- Be open to changes and seek collaboration on new ideas
- When receiving feedback, listen with humility
Memorable Collaboration & Partnership
Make a difference!
- When people think of UWL, do they think of you? Did you make an impression that they feel comfortable contacting you or the Office of Community Engagement for future partnerships?
- Give a genuine and sincere thank you for the partnership
- Write a follow-up note or email after first meeting and at the end of the experience
- Personalize the note with a fact you remember from the conversation
- Consider connecting with them on LinkedIn
- Consider what expertise you and the community partner can bring to the table. All parties are experts in their respective fields.
Visit us!
UWL Office of Community Engagement
Cleary Alumni & Friends Center, Room 114
1725 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601