Key Lessons for Successful Workforce Partnerships

Everyone obsesses over their Ideal Partner Profile (IPP). But the truth is a strong fit is not enough. I’ve had “perfect” partners ghost me after signature. Here’s what really drives successful partnerships: Activity. Don’t get me wrong, IPP fit matters. But fit alone doesn’t drive revenue. Success comes down to what happens after the handshake. The level of engagement. From you, from them, and from your teams. WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? 1. Alignment at every level - Executive sponsorship - Real buy-in across teams (especially the ground-level reps) 2. Structured onboarding - Setting lear expectation - Providing the right resources - Making it easy to get started 3. Proactive enablement - Sharing the right information with the right stakeholders - Not just sending a deck… but teaching them how to win - Just-in-time enablement 4. Consistent engagement - Are they attending sessions? Completing trainings? Taking action? - Keeping them informed, equipped, and active 5. Shared success plans - Putting real goals on paper - Tracking progress together - Holding each other accountable 6. Joint marketing and co-selling - Collaborating on marketing campaigns and events whenever possible - Facilitating your field reps to collaborate and win together 7. Customer value - If customers don’t see the value, does the partnership even exist? - Assessing whether the partnership is delivering real value to your customers That’s what drives momentum. That’s what turns a “profile match” into a revenue engine. So don’t stop at signed. That’s when the real work begins. Once you’ve got an IPP fit, activity is the ultimate indicator of productivity. Because partnerships don’t thrive on vibes. They thrive on structure, engagement, and execution.

My experience in leveraging federal funding for inclusive economic and workforce development has emphasized the importance of intentional coalition building over simply reacting to grant deadlines. Four key insights I've gained: - Federal grants often necessitate robust place-based coalitions, which communities may not always be prepared to establish. - Building a coalition methodically around specific, time-bound goals is more effective than forming one solely to apply for a grant. - Success hinges on clear role definition and coordination within the coalition. - Strategic stakeholder engagement focused on outcomes should drive the pursuit of federal funding opportunities. Sustainable progress extends beyond individual grant cycles, emphasizing the need to cultivate and maintain investments over time. #EconomicDevelopment #WorkforceDevelopment #CommunityBuilding #FederalFunding #StakeholderEngagement

When I first started my career in workforce development, I thought partnerships meant shaking hands, setting a few goals, and crossing my fingers (and toes) that things would magically happen. Reality quickly humbled me: Partnerships are actually complex relationships, each with their own unique cultures, languages, and unwritten rules—kind of like joining a new friend group and realizing you don’t get half their inside jokes. Building Career Connect partnerships across California and Arizona taught me that scaling a successful program means truly understanding (and respecting!) the individual ecosystems of each college: One institution valued “economic mobility” above all else. Another prioritized “closing equity gaps.” Our winning approach? Listen first. Align second. Act thoughtfully. We didn’t impose our agenda—we integrated Career Connect into existing college systems. That means embedding our efforts into their strategic plans, student orientations, and established processes. The payoff? Strong, lasting partnerships and meaningful outcomes for students. If you’re newer to workforce development, here’s the advice I wish I’d gotten sooner: 👉🏽 Real partnerships aren’t about having all the answers upfront. They’re built through curiosity, humility, and adapting your rhythm to match the beat of your partners. Have you ever experienced partnerships that challenged your initial assumptions? PS- This is me looking deep and reflective to add to the impact…not sure I’m actually ever this serious! 😂 #WorkforceDevelopment #Partnerships #EarlyCareerAdvice