Partnering Essentials

02/09/2024

A new direction for Partnering Essentials™.

After 25 years since founding the business in 1999, Ian Dixon has decided to step back from partnering work and to hand over to his Associate Kylie Cutten who will take over the business and training activities.

Kylie owns the Australian Facilitation Company and has been working closely with Ian and leading the training programs for the last 2 years. Kylie is a highly experienced facilitator, trainer and partnering specialist and will continue to offer our Partnering Essentials™ courses and to host the Partnering Essentials™ Online Academy.

The Partnering Essentials™ suite of training programs were first developed by Ian Dixon in 2009 and since then over 2000 people have participated in either our half day, one day or two-day programs. These programs have been highly successful in helping people to partner simply, quickly and effectively.

A BIG BIG thank you to everyone who has supported our team over these many years and who had the belief, trust and confidence to engage us to deliver our partnering skills programs.

If you would like more information regarding how Kylie Cutten and Partnering Essentials can assist you contact Kylie on [email protected] or visit partneringessentials.com

08/09/2022

Recently, Ian took a trip across WA to help guide this fantastic group to evaulate and review their partnership.

As part of this review we were able to help the group understand their partnering purpose and identify a plan moving forward; partnering to protect, restore and manage the natural resources of the south coast.

Well done to all those involved!

Relationships and partnerships need as much care and attention as our environment does!

Yesterday representatives from South Coast Natural Resource Management Inc., Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee WICC, Torbay Catchment Group, Oyster Harbour Catchment Group Inc., Gillamii, North Stirlings Pallinup Natural Resources Inc, FBG - Fitzgerald Biosphere Group (with apologies from Ravensthorpe Agricultural Initiative Network (R.A.I.N)) came together to evaluate and review their historic partnerships.

Expertly guided by Ian Dixon, Dixon Partnering Solutions, the groups worked together to establish their partnering purpose and sketch out a path for the future; partnering to protect, restore and manage the natural resources of the south coast.

Thanks to Kylie Cutten, Australian Facilitation Company, for her assistance during the day.

29/08/2022

This month Dixon Partnering Solutions celebrates 23 years in business. Owner & founder, Ian Dixon, took some time to reflect on the last 23 years as to what has changed with partnering, and what the future looks like for partnering.

Back in the beginning, in the late 1990's, greater collaboration between organisations from different sectors started to be talked about, but there was very little action. Fast forward to today and we see massive amounts of collaboration, helping to solve the worlds toughest problems.

But what's changed from the late 90's? Is it working? Are we partnering effectively now or is there still more work to do?

To see what's changed over the last 23 years, and Ian's thoughts on the future of partnering check out his latest piece - "23 years in partnering... So what's changed?"

After 23 years in partnering, Ian takes the time to reflect on how far partnering has come, and what is next for partnering.

23/08/2022

Back in 2010, the Australian Government embarked on helping young people achieve their full potential by forming strategic partnerships between schools, businessses, community groups and parents and families.

With this in mind the Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) established a network of partnership brokers to build these partnerships, which is where we were able to provide support.

A key factor to bringing together these partnerships was training. Whilst also providing them with the necessary tools and strategic advice needed to build and maintain these partnerships.

See how we provided partnering support for this intiative to help young people achieve their full potential →

DIXON Partnering Solutions supported the initiative from 2010 to 2014, through the delivery of partnering skills training across Australia, the design of a range of partnering tools and templates, developing initial case studies, and providing strategic advice.

16/08/2022

TIP 2 – What type of partnering relationship are you in?

Our second tip in this partnering series is about understanding what type of partnering relationship you are in. Relationships between partners can change as the partnering process develops. You may start out with the aim of an integrated partnership where all partners have equity in the arrangement but may find that the power balance has shifted and one partner starts to dominate.

You may also find that the partnership has evolved and it is time to change from an integrated type of relationship to one which is more transactional and involves delivery of specific services.

Continually checking what type of relationship you are in at any time and that all partners agree with this will ensure more sustainable outcomes.

07/08/2022

Our Online Academy is a great tool for businesses or individuals to learn how to partner quickly, simply & effectively.

Our courses will guide you through the entire partnering process, giving you practical skills that will equip you to partner effectively across all layers of community, education, government and business.

Get started today with our Introduction to Partnering Bundle - https://onlineacademy.partneringessentials.com/bundles/introduction-to-partnering

28/07/2022

In his article on Systems Leadership published in the Stanford Review in the winter of 2014, Peter Senge talks of the need to create enabling conditions for change.

"Ineffective leaders try to make change happen. System leaders focus on creating the conditions that can produce change and that can eventually cause change to be self-sustaining.”

If your in leadership, perhaps it's time to assess the conditions for change in your organisation - are you creating space or just trying to make things happen?

23/07/2022

We often see large scale change initiatives flounder as organisations and individuals try to make it happen.

Across industries and organisations we see an insatiable desire to be seen to be 'doing things' as it will surely result in outcomes and rewards.

But will this really result in any substantial change if those groups needing to be involved are not meaningfully engaged?

One the enabling conditions for change is the ability to 'create the space' for people to come together and explore possibilities and have the conversations they need to have to become fully engaged and aligned.

But how can we create this space and what does it bring? Click below to find out.

We often see large scale initiative flounder as organisation culture reflects no space for change. By creating a space for change it provide individuals and organisations opportunities. Opportunities to tackle new problems with a new way of thinking.

18/07/2022

Tip 1 – Is your ‘purpose for partnering’ agreed by all partners?

Are all your partners on the same page or are different agendas starting to surface?

This is the first tip in our series, which is all about getting on the same page. It might sound simple, but time and time again we see this affecting a partnership.

Having a clear purpose statement agreed by all the partners is key to any successful partnering initiative. Sometimes as the partnering evolves over time we can see ‘purpose drift’ occurring. This is where some partners may want to change from the original intent without all partners agreeing. This can lead to lots of confusion around mixed objectives and potentially ongoing conflicts with resultant impacts on outcomes.

Partners should always be keeping an eye on the purpose and intent of the partnering. Regular checks with partners to reaffirm ‘the purpose statement’ is key to achieving alignment of all partners and the ultimate objective of the partnering.

14/07/2022

The first question we ask in our eBook 'The 7 Questions every Partner Should Ask' is: Are we ready to partner?

What seems like a simple question to ask, is also a very crucial one.

In the chapter we discuss what it means to be ready to partner, the language around partnering, assessing your capability and capacity to partner.

If you want know if your ready to partner, get your free copy using the link below.

https://www.partneringessentials.com/7-questions-every-partner-should-ask-free-ebook

05/07/2022

We often talk about 'building partner capability' but what does it actually mean?

By capability we mean having people within partner organisations who have a clear understanding of when to partner, what type of partnering is needed and how to do it effectively.

28/06/2022

You may have seen Founder and Director Ian recently wrote a blog about the current state of partnering and why we need to rethink 'partnering'.

Our course on 'What is Partnering?" sets' out to help partners identify what they really mean by 'partnering'. We delve into the different types of partnering relationships and the different value that they bring.

See below the preview on "What is Partnering?".

Not all partnering relationships are the same nor do they deliver the same value.When partners come together to tackle tough complex issues there can be diff...