v1.0.0 to v1.0.0

---

name: partnership-strategy

description: >-

Build a partnership program — partner types, recruitment, enablement, co-marketing,

revenue share models. Triggers on: "partnership strategy", "partner program",

"channel partnerships", "build partnerships".

license: MIT

metadata:

version: "1.0.0"

author: LeadMagic

category: partnerships

tags: [partnerships, partner-program, channel, co-marketing, alliances]

frameworks:

- "Partnership Ecosystem Framework"

- "Crossbeam Partner-Led Growth"

- "Crossbeam — Ecosystem-Led Growth"

related_skills:

[

partner-programs,

co-marketing,

integration-partnerships,

channel-partnerships,

sales-enablement,

]

---

# Partnership Strategy

## Overview

Partnerships are the most underleveraged GTM channel in B2B SaaS. A well-run

partner program can generate 20-40% of pipeline at near-zero CAC. But "partnerships"

means different things at different stages — this skill covers the full ecosystem.

## Authoritative Foundations

- **Partnership Ecosystem Framework** — Named methodology governing recommendations in this skill's process.

- **Crossbeam Partner-Led Growth** — Named methodology governing recommendations in this skill's process.

- **Crossbeam — Ecosystem-Led Growth** — Ecosystem-Led Growth

## When to Use

- "Build a partner program"

- "Partnership strategy"

- "Channel partner program"

- "Partner-led growth"

## Step-by-Step Process

### Phase 1: Partner Type Selection

- **Integration partners:** Your product integrates with theirs. Co-marketing,

co-selling. Easiest to start. "Customers who use [Partner] + [You] get [value]."

- **Referral partners:** Agencies, consultants, freelancers who recommend tools.

Pay % of first-year revenue. Low-touch to manage.

- **Reseller partners:** Sell your product to their customers. White-label or

co-branded. Higher touch, higher revenue share (20-40%).

- **Technology partners:** Complementary (not competitive) tools. Shared customer

base. Joint roadmap, deep integration.

- **Strategic alliances:** Enterprise partnerships. Exclusive. Long sales cycle

to set up, massive payoff.

### Phase 2: Partner Recruitment

- **Ideal Partner Profile (IPP):** Who has your ICP before you do? Agencies,

consultants, complementary tools, industry associations.

- **Outbound recruitment:** "Your clients ask you about [problem] — we solve it.

Let's build a referral relationship."

- **Inbound recruitment:** Partner page on your website, partner application form,

promote in your network.

- **Customer → Partner:** Your power users often become your best partners.

### Phase 3: Partner Enablement

- **Partner portal:** Deal registration, training materials, co-branded assets,

pipeline tracking

- **Certification:** Product certification program. Certified partners get higher

commissions and better leads.

- **Sales playbook:** How to position your product, who to sell to, objection

handling, demo script

- **Co-marketing:** Joint webinars, co-branded case studies, shared booth at events

### Phase 4: Partner Economics

- **Referral:** 10-20% of first-year revenue

- **Reseller:** 20-40% margin, partner handles first-line support

- **Agency/Consultant:** Monthly retainer + % of influenced revenue

- **Strategic:** Custom deal, equity possible at early stage

- **Key metric:** Partner-sourced pipeline as % of total. Target: 20-30% by year 2.

### Phase 5: Partner Management

- **Tier system:** Silver → Gold → Platinum based on revenue influenced

- **QBRs:** Quarterly business reviews with top 20% of partners

- **Partner success manager:** Dedicated person at 30+ active partners

- **Kill criteria:** Partners who refer 0 deals in 6 months → re-evaluate or remove

## Output Format

Partnership strategy document with: partner types and tiers, IPP definition,

recruitment plan, enablement program, economics model, and management framework.

## Quality Check

Before delivering, verify:

- [ ] All required sections are complete

- [ ] Output matches the user's stated need

- [ ] Named frameworks are cited for key recommendations

- [ ] No vague claims — every recommendation has a specific action

- [ ] Deliverable is ready for operational use, not just conceptual

## Common Pitfalls

1. **Skipping research.** Building output without understanding the specific context. Fix: always gather required inputs before producing deliverables.

2. **Generic output.** "Improve your process" without concrete steps. Fix: every recommendation must include a specific action, timeline, and owner.

3. **Missing framework citations.** Advice without named authorities. Fix: ground every recommendation in a cited framework from a recognized authority.

## Execution Artifacts

- `references/framework-notes.md` — named frameworks, citation anchors, and operating assumptions

- `templates/output-template.md` — copy-paste deliverable structure for the user

- `scripts/check-output.py` — local checklist validator for required sections

This skill includes lightweight artifacts the agent can load on demand:

Use the artifacts when the user asks for an implementation-ready deliverable, a repeatable workflow, or a quality check rather than generic advice.

## Implementation Depth

Use this section when the user asks for a finished asset, not a high-level explanation.

### Diagnostic Questions

1. What is the primary motion: founder-led, sales-led, product-led, partner-led, or lifecycle-led?

2. Which ICP tier is the output for: small business, mid-market, enterprise, or mixed?

3. What proof is available today: customer stories, usage data, third-party validation, screenshots, or none?

4. What system will execute the work: CRM, sequencer, warehouse, support desk, product analytics, or manual workflow?

5. What decision will the user make from this output: launch, prioritize, route, rewrite, score, coach, or measure?

### Framework Application

Map the recommendation explicitly to the named frameworks in this skill:

- Partnership Ecosystem Framework: apply only the part that directly improves the requested deliverable.

- Crossbeam Partner-Led Growth: apply only the part that directly improves the requested deliverable.

- Crossbeam — Ecosystem-Led Growth: apply only the part that directly improves the requested deliverable.

### Deliverable Standard

A strong output from this skill includes:

- A crisp diagnosis of the current situation

- A recommended path with tradeoffs, not a generic list

- A concrete artifact the user can use immediately: table, script, checklist, scorecard, sequence, dashboard spec, or implementation plan

- A measurement plan with leading and lagging indicators

- Risks and edge cases called out before execution

### Adaptation Rules

- For small business: reduce complexity, shorten time-to-value, and prioritize owner/operator clarity.

- For mid-market: include workflow ownership, handoffs, integrations, and enablement assets.

- For enterprise: include governance, risk, procurement, stakeholder mapping, and proof requirements.

## Related Skills

- partner-programs, co-marketing, integration-partnerships, channel-partnerships, sales-enablement