Go BIG or go HOME
Creating Memorable Partner Experiences
At the recent BRAND MINDS conference, I attended a talk by Diana Kander about creating “magic moments” — small, intentional interactions that make people feel engaged, understood and valued.
What resonated with me was how these ideas apply beyond sales and presentations. In my day-to-day work, most interactions with our partners revolve around service delivery, resources, priorities and IT topics. These discussions are essential, but strong partnerships require something more.
Her talk reinforced three principles that I believe make a difference:
1. Start with their priorities. Understand what matters most to your partners before presenting your results or capabilities.
2. Make your value tangible. Don't just report activities delivered; demonstrate how your work helps the business achieve its objectives.
3. Create solutions together. Involve partners in shaping solutions rather than always presenting finished answers. Collaboration builds ownership and trust.
4. Add something surprising. Want your meeting to be remembered by the end of the week? Break the routine, bring a fresh idea, personalize a small gesture— just something that makes the other person stop and think, “That was different.”
Reliable service delivery is the foundation of every successful partnership. But how people experience working with us can determine whether we remain a service provider or become a trusted partner.
My takeaway is simple: before every important meeting, ask yourself:
“What will make this interaction genuinely valuable for my partner?”