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Many organizations we have worked with don't spend enough time preparing for partnership outreach before they begin. It isn't due to a lack of dedication or ability, but more often than that they don't know how to position their assets to a potential partner. This series will cover the key aspects of planning, conducting outreach and ongoing relationship management, including: 

Part 1: Identifying and Positioning Your Assets
Part 2: Identifying and Researching Potential Partners
Part 3: Preparing for and Attending the Initial Partner Meeting 
Part 4: Ongoing Relationship Management

best practice: - n: the recognized methods of correctly running businesses or providing services

The key to establishing best practices in a cause marketing partnership is to infuse the concept of BALANCE. We've heard terms like "win-win" used over and over in our industry. While that concept is a vital component of successful cause marketing, the type of BALANCE I'm suggesting is this: 

Build strong relationships 
Activation is key
Leverage assets
Acknowledge efforts
Norms and measurement
Communicate
Evolve

In our first two posts on this issue, I covered the importance of Building strong partnerships. Activation and Leveraging Assets for Cause Partnership success. This post will illustrate best practices related to Acknowledgement and Norms and measurement.