The Build WITH Partners Approach | A Fresh Perspective on a Trusted Model
Are you stuck in the endless "build vs. partner" debate?
Stop choosing between two actually imperfect options. Discover a hybrid approach that combines the best of both worlds.
The Old(er) Paradigm: Build OR Partner
The traditional approach forces you to choose between:
Building Internally
Complete control of the process and Intellectual Property (IP)
Often extended timelines just to assemble the right team
Difficulty finding specialized talent with relevant skills
Higher fixed costs and overhead, especially with incremental hiring
Outsourcing Completely
Faster execution but with less control over process
Knowledge remains external to your core team
Dependency on third parties, which need to be vetted
Communication and cultural challenges, especially with offshore teams
The New(er) Paradigm: Build WITH Partners
What if there's a better way?
The Build WITH Partners approach creates a collaborative model that:
Accelerates your timeline, while maintaining strategic control
Combines your internal knowledge with specialized external expertise
Creates more flexible paths to build long-term capabilities
Reduces risk while maximizing ROI, especially with BOT models
How It Works: 5 Principles Of Successful Build-WITH-Partners Models
1. Strategic Alignment
Begin with the ideal outcome in mind so that both internal teams and external partners can fully understand and embrace the vision. Establish shared KPIs that align with business outcomes, not just project deliverables.
2. Integrated Teams
Pair up external experts directly with your internal team members to facilitate knowledge transfer and create unified teams working towards common goals. Avoid the "us vs. them" dynamic that stifles traditional outsourcing.
3. Flexible Transition Paths
Take advantage of and leverage Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) models that create clear options to bring external talent in-house when appropriate, or continue to maintain the partnerships for ongoing collaboration.
4. Parallel Processing
Use external partners to accelerate the action on immediate needs, while simultaneously developing internal capabilities. This "dual-track" approach supports both short-term execution and long-term sustainable capability building.
5. Collaborative Governance
Establish shared responsibility structures that focus on outcomes rather than rigid role definitions. Regular check-ins and even periodic retrospectives should include all relevant stakeholders to keep communication channels open as well as to continuously improve the partnership’s model.
Real-World Results
Companies implementing the Build WITH Partners approach have experienced:
Reduction in time-to-market by bypassing lengthy hiring and onboarding cycles
Cost efficiency through flexible resource allocation, rather than fixed headcount
Enhanced knowledge retention through collaborative learning
Greater adaptability to scale resources up or down based on project demands
Improved product quality through access to specialized expertise
Move beyond the binary build vs. partner mindset.
The Build WITH Partners approach offers a strategic hybrid path that combines the control and knowledge retention of building internally with the speed and specialized skills and expertise of external partnerships.
By reimagining how teams collaborate across organizational structures, companies can create more flexible, efficient, and sustainable approaches to complex projects and initiatives.