Strategic Referral Partnerships

  • 84% of B2B decision makers start the buying process with a referral*

  • Companies with formalised programmes experienced 86% more revenue growth over the previous two years*

  • Yet only 30% of companies surveyed had a formalised referral program*

    At Collaboration Junkie we want to make you one of the businesses that experiences this growth

We get it.

Relying on word of mouth introductions can feel anxious, like you’re not in control of your own destiny - despite what the stats might say. But, it’s by far the oldest and still most succesful form of new lead generation. We all know people buy from people they know, like, and trust, and an introduction helps fast track that process like nothing else.

So how do you make the most of this channel in a way that removes the stress and allows you to scale with confidence?

When you work with us you get access to a range of proven strategies, techniques and frameworks that have been successfully deployed over 20 years, delivering and receiving thousands of qualified leads with partners such as Volvo, Regus, Yell, Experian, and many more; from global corporates to local small businesses.

We’ll work with you to develop a strategy which allows you to target and form the partnerships that deliver your ideal clients, at the ideal time to buy, on a consistent basis.

Our framework isn’t just founded on success though.

It’s been developed through the lessons learned from mistakes either made or witnessed. We’ve learned the hard way, so you don’t have to; shortcutting the mistakes to take advantage quickly, maximising the potential of a collaboration in the shortest possible time, and avoiding the regret of missed or wasted opportunity.

Whether it’s developing a new channel or building on your existing one; we’ll work with you to ensure you utilise the right methods for both your business, your target market, and your partners.

The DANCE Framework

Our framework for strategic referral partnerships consists of 5 different routines, each with their own steps. It’s been honed over many years of practical, on the floor, experience. Based on some big success, but then also mistakes either made or, more often than not, having been on the other end of when we were the party responsible for providing leads.

  • There’s 3 main things to think about here and it sets up everything else that we work on:

    Why are you partnering? We need to be crystal clear on the outcome you’re looking to achieve. If that’s lead generation how highly qualified do you need the leads to be, and at what volume?

    We need to know what a successful partner program looks like for you so we can help you achieve it.

    Who’s your ideal client? Again, we need to be as specific as possible, if we don’t know who your ideal (or chosen target) client is, how can we uncover who the perfect partner is?

    Who are your Perfect Partners? It’s not about saying we won’t work with anyone else, but about really identifying where we focus our proactive efforts. Where they’ll pass the right quality of lead, at the right volume, and at the right time. It’s much more than just having the right audience for you; it’s about the nature of their relationship, how they communicate, their values, and so much more.

    We’ll not only uncover who they are, but also your unique Partner Value Proposition which allows you to engage with potential partners quickly and effortlessly.

  • For a partnership programme to flourish, and then scale, you need to ensure you have the behind the scenes set up in order. From internal systems, software and personnel, to the structure of your agreements - covering things like how we reward your partners.

    We’ll make sure no stone is left unturned so you can be sure of delivering a consistent level of service to your partners.

    The simple things really do matter, get this wrong and your partners will immediately lose trust, get it right and you’ll have partners for life.

    You may not be ready to have everything in place on day one, but we’ll ensure there’s a road map to best in class that will serve you well along the way.

  • Your partners could become as important to the future of your business as your most key clients, so we need to make sure you treat them as such.

    Communication is key and we’ll look at the various channels each partner type will need to ensure a rock solid relationship is formed that only builds over time.

    From setting expectations at outset, and a seamless onboarding process; to reviews and regular updates that keep you front of mind, and the partnership moving in the right direction.

    It’s about getting the right mix of automation and personal contact. Functional messages and value add communications. Formal reviews or forming relationships.

    We’ll ensure your partners are left feeling loved, valued, and informed; so that when they’re approached by other potential partners there’s not even a thought in their mind about working with anyone but you.

  • A successful partnership doesn’t just happen. You need to help your partners connect their audience to you. Do the heavy lifting, make it easy for them, and you’ll reap the rewards.

    Don’t, and you may well find your partnership experience an underwhelming one.

    Depending on the partner and how they engage with their audience you’ll need to provide the right level of support.

    Is this internal marketing support?

    Partner facing materials where you share the benefit of your experience to enhance the ability of the partner and their team to refer you.

    Or

    Is it external, customer facing support?

    All the materials and activities your partners may need to connect you with their audience through successful co-marketing campaigns.

    From static materials like sales emails, to more immersive experiences like events.

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    We’ll look at all this and more, including how you can really integrate your offering into your partners processes so the lead generation process happens seamlessly and repeatedly.

  • With confidence in both the existing offering, and the road map to an even stronger partner programme, it’s time to build your partner acquisition strategy.

    Using the partner value propositions we identified during the Discovery stage we’ll cover how to get your first partners on board, how to then leverage them and your network to grow your partner base, before looking at advanced strategies to really scale your programme when the time is right.

    Within this we’ll look at the supporting materials and messaging required - but by this point it’s all systems go.

    Our simple 3 step process will provide you with all the partner leads you need to grow your programme and your business.

How We Work

Consultancy

We work with you and your team (internal or external) online, in person, or hybrid, to deliver a tangible, documented strategy and road map that delivers real results.

To complete the DANCE framework normally requires 6 x ½ day sessions, and then a wrap up session following the final delivery of content, but we’re flexible if you’d rather have a higher number of shorter sessions. That gets us 80% of the way there.

We’ll then stick around while you implment to make sure the last 20% happens, and happens well - as thats where the magic happens.

We’re normally with a brand for a minimum of 6 months and you can expect to pay from £2000p/m upwards - a price we’re confident we’ll deliver significant ROI on.

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Fractional Partnership Officer (you pick the title)

A more hands on role where all the structure and framework is still delivered, but in a more free flowing model of workshops, meetings and support. I’ll of course still need input, particularly during the discovery stage, but there’ll be less time requirement on you and your senior team. I’ll lead the project internally and play a more active role in the design and implementation of both the internal systems and external comms.

I can also play an active role in speaking with new and existing partners, whilst supporting the development of internal members of the team to step into the role.

I’m essentially part of your team for the time we’re together.

£3000p/m + VAT for this one with same 6 month initial engagement.

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Both models are very much ‘Done With You’ with all the accountability and support required to make your partnership channel a success.



Book a call or get in touch to discuss what might be right for you.

Don’t quite have the budget right now? Check out our online group format - The Kick Ass Collaboration Programme

What Do You Get?

Our work is a mix of coaching and consultancy. In other words we won’t cut and run leaving you alone to figure it out, but we also won’t march in and just tell you what to do (although we can be a bit more hands on when required).

Each partnership programme is unique so there is no one size fits all and our framework includes options that are right for all types of partnership. Whether you’re an executive coach looking for a handful of highly qualified leads each year, to the next big software platform looking for thousands each month, the tactics we employ will be different - but still based on the same fundamental principles of effective collaboration. 


Everyone we work with receives an extensive framework document that includes the notes and tools used for all types of partnerships, alongside the contextualised notes for their own unique programme. This is accompanied by a road map of actions that shows the path to launch, scale, and future development.

You also get access to support in between the sessions. We’re all about implmentation and so anything we can do to help move that along, from feedback on copy or materials to someone to bounce and idea off, we’re here for.

You’ll also get access to our networks. We can’t promise introductions, and it’s not the reason you should work with us, but we’re connectors at heart and so if we can get you in front of the right potential partners we’ll do so.
 

Testimonials

Here’s what some of our previous (and existing) clients have had to say about our work with them on their referral partner strategy.

  • Jon Dennis – Managing Partner Red 76 Chartered Accountants

    My business is growing rapidly through referrals but I didn’t have any real understanding of how or why I was getting them and the thought of these leads drying up concerned me.

    Strategic Partnerships seemed the ideal way to build on this, but as someone who’s very process driven I knew that I needed to have a formal and structured programme in place to get the most out of this channel.

    I needed to understand the non-financial drivers of why people refer so that I could form a strategy that was dependable and scalable through proactive effort, rather than the slightly clumsy ad hoc inbound strategy we had in place before, as successful as it was.

    If I was going to push this I also wanted the confidence and security of knowing that what I had on offer for my partners was water-tight...

    Read More Here

  • Rod Bailey - Chief Visionary Officer at ExecutiveSurf

    If I had a dollar for every time someone said to me one of these; "Why bother investing in a consultant to help you bring in high quality new business through partnerships and referrals?" or "That's so obvious isn't it?" or "Don't you do that already?" or "Is that even a thing?", then... well I wouldn't actually still need to be in business...

    Thanks Dave Plunkett and the folks at Collaboration Junkies. In just a few months, you've opened our eyes to a whole new world of opportunity, plenty of exciting prospects and some fully signed up new clients. I think you're on to something.

    ExecutiveSurf - hooked on Collaboration junkies

    ps. the answers to those questions: 1. Because there's a big ROI, 2. Yes but when did 'obvious' get a free pass into marketing strategy? 3. A bit, but blindly, making it pretty unproductive, 4. Yes, but don't tell anyone about it.

  • Steve Vale - Commercial Director Of Plann3d Solutions

    When I first started working with Dave at the start of the year, my immediate goal was to not have a dip in work during the summer months. 8 weeks later with £100k of new work in, that I put wholly down to the mindset shifts and practical applications Dave has introduced, and my goals shifted.I’ve not had to do anything drastically different to what I was doing before, just make subtle shifts in my behaviour and language to be more intentional about referrals with my clients and network in general. As I’ve built momentum with the conversations I’ve been having, the connections and results have just snowballed. And the work brought on has typically been with the clients that I want to be working with ongoing.I can already see how this is going to bring the consistency our business needs in order to scale, and I’m now looking at how partnerships and referrals can help me attract more of those ideal clients rather than just filling my pipeline.

    Click Here

  • Katrina Douglas - The Launch Strategist®

    I was looking for someone to give me clarity around my strategy, help me answer the questions that were swirling around in my head, and provide me some structure so that I could move forwards.

    But more than just giving me the brain space to answer the questions I already had, Dave asked the right questions to get me thinking even more. He provided the right triggers for me to think outside of the box and start to join those dots. The fact that I didn’t have to take any notes as Dave was doing all of that made it even more freeing. And although there was a process that was followed it wasn’t rigid, enabling us to explore tangents as and when they arose.

    By the end of the first half of the day I was so excited about the opportunity. The exploration and validation of the different client profiles and partner types provided some unexpected results and the clarity that brought came with a sense of relief as well.

    Read More Here

  • Lisa Russell - Owner Liruss Virtual Business Services

    After deliberating about making the investment in the profitable partnership program I have just had the first of my sessions with Dave and I am incredibly excited for the future.   Dave not only made me cry (in a good way) but also unpicked so much opportunity for the growth of our business. For anyone who thinks they know their stuff on partnerships.... think again. Dave KNOWS about partnerships.   

    For anyone considering working with him but are holding off, just do it! I already know a million percent that the money I've invested is going to come back to me tenfold.  

  • Ollie Austen - Co-Founder & Director THIS R&D Ltd 

    The Directors of THIS R&D engaged Collaboration Junkies services to build our strategic industry partnerships in 2021.  

    Working with Dave was both educational and insightful. It has given us a clear road map to follow and we are beginning to see results.  

    Ultimately, we are happy to recommend any businesses looking to grow to Collaboration Junkie. The process funnels your enthusiasm for business into a pragmatic playbook for results.   

  • Daryl Woodhouse CEO | Speaker | Entrepreneur | Executive Coach

    Dave’s knowledge and enthusiasm for partnerships knows no bounds, and his energy is infectious. Where he really excels though is the level of detail he provides, backed up by real life examples and contextualised for the businesses he’s working with.

    I can’t recommend working with Dave highly enough.

  • Nicki Kinton - Founder & Credit Management at Confident Cashflow

    Thank you, thank you thank you!

    I had the best conversation ever with a prospective strategic partner this morning. It certainly wasn't as complete as it could have been as I've not written my process yet, but we established who in the practice was client facing, what I could do for them to make it easy for them to keep me front of mind and refer me and how we keep in touch.

    I have a lot of work to do on the back of the conversation but I believe that this could be the start of something pretty amazing. It wouldn't have gone that way if we hadn't had our session on Thursday.

    Thank you, thank you, thank you!

    Click Here

  • Briony Ansell - Project Support Officer of YTKO GROUP LIMITED

    Dave was great at helping us to see the benefits that a more structured approach to partnership working could have on our programme. It was also very valuable to understand the processes and systems needed to enable us to manage those partnerships. All the information was provided in a really clear way that meant we could take immediate action as well as build for our future partnership working.

  • Matt Mower - Co-Founder & CEO of AgendaScope

    What to say without coming over as a total fanboy? Dave knows his brief: partnerships, referrals, business through relationships — he knows this stuff deeply and he walks the talk. It's so relevant to all businesses I would heartily recommend anyone work with Dave. He's also funny, kind, and curious which are a big deal to me, and I hope to you too. Recommended without reservation.

*All Stats listed are from saasquatch.com*