Partnerships with Other Business Organizations
06 July 2010
The Value of Partnerships
Partnerships with other business organizations are very important because (1) you can leverage the power of multiple organizations working together; (2) you can create the impression of a strong large-scale small business movement in favor of healthcare reform; (3) members of each organization can choose to sign up with the other, thereby enhancing recruiting success; and (4) partnerships enable you to extend your reach into important sub-groups of business owners.
Types of Partners
- Other statewide or regional business organizations who often, or even sometimes, support progressive causes
- Local chambers of commerce
- Neighborhood merchants associations and other local business groups
- Minority business associations
- Women's business associations
- Professional groups (attorney, accountant, architect, engineer etc)
- Realtors associations
- Health Care Facilities & Services Employers (nursing homes, health care facilities are generally reliant on government funding)
- Franchisees associations (there is a national franchisee organization)
- Freelance associations (there is a Freelancers Union in New York)
- Artists associations – (most artists are self employed & businesses)
- Organic and other farmer organizations
- Public & farmers markets groups
- "Buy local" groups
- Business for Social Responsibility
- Sustainable & green energy groups
Maintaining Independence
It is important for the small business healthcare reform entity to define its goals and chart its course accordingly. Sometimes that may result in decisions that don't align 100% percent with other organizations. On the other hand, there may be agreement with those organizations on certain healthcare goals, or even, in some cases, on broad healthcare reform. By staying independent, but forming partnerships wherever possible, this enables the core organization to stay focused and true to its principles, yet be able to build or be part of a larger coalition on key issues.
Strategies for Reaching Out
- Contact known organizations directly
- Learn about organizations from your members and associates who may also have other business affiliations
- Ask other healthcare advocates and progressive political leaders about business organizations they have found to be cooperative
- Join existing business task forces or committees, where appropriate
Ongoing Relationships
It is important to set up regular communications mechanisms with partner organizations – regular calls or meetings, forming task forces that stay in touch, online forums, blogs, etc. And, it is important to explore with all of the organizations on a regular basis when and where there is common ground.