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Partnership building best practices

A page within Instructors

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